











] 


> 

♦ 

i 


f. 

1 


i 


. ] 

/ ; 



u. 


4-^ '^%- 





i 



CONTENTS 


Chapter Page 

I. The Troubles of Budge 7 

II. Storm Bound 18 

III. Supper by Wireless 27 

IV. A Night to Remember 39 

V. On the Carolina Border 50 

VI. A Hard River to Cross ....... 60 

VII. A Night at the Country Tavern ... 71 

VIII. The Worm Turns 80 

IX. An Exciting Introduction to Asheville 89 

X. A Lucky Meeting 98 

XI. The Moonshiner Sentinel 107 

XII. The Humble Cabin of Gabe 116 

XIII. The Mountains with the Evil Name . 127 

XIV. More and More Trouble ...... 135 

XV. Alec Takes Chances 143 

XVI. The Moonshiners of the Big Smokies . 151 

XVII. True Gold Needs NOT THE Guinea Stamp 160 
XVIII. Freckles Takes to the Bush 168 


CONTENTS — Continued. 


Chapter Page 

XIX. The Motor Boys Prisoners 180 

XX. Poor, Unfortunate Budge 192 

XXI. How THE Game Worked 201 

XXII. A Staggering Surprise 210 

XXIII. Conclusion 221 





k/^ . S, ■ • » ■ :^Kv 



Tir-g^' ■• 




• \ 


J < . 


/ ':.■ .’i.'* . ' f!’. ~ --^ i ‘'i ^'•'‘- 

- ■’^ ■ ■ ••.'■^toJi'^r’I. .'ii^HCiW. • i’y af 




I » 


jJ 

r •i*'" * ^ 

j.r c=>-^> ‘-fc ;;;'j 


•rF 





irjfr 




1 Ki 


•r<: 






* '» :.y-> 







f It ', sr- ^ k d 

> V. * 


t .'• iV 


•fc. 


^r 


j., v^.''‘>',:^i^.-.'.’' Wv 


i‘ 


tt..* 


r/ 


5^ 








.: >:r,' 


’ '\ - J’ . 




- f 


w^"' ‘!f< 

'•V. 




' 'of*’ “^V 

*• ..* ». :n<m 


:< 




r 


j/i k 


• "H ' 

4 ^ - f r •. < 


-< 'm 


{ft 




> - ♦ - 




‘VW- 


. . i "^1 I I k . • 


iff* 


55 - tc.'«'-- ^ 

,*T «■ « . <^ 1 '. 







“If you can only get to that rock sticking its nose 
up yonder, 1 believe you can make the riffle,’’ said 
Alec, pointing. [Page 63] 


Motorcycle Chums in the Land of the Sky. 


Motorcycle Chums in The 
Land of The Sky 

OR 

Thrilling Adventures on the 
Carolina Border 

By ANDREW CAREY LINCOLN 

CHAPTER I 

THE TROUBLES OF BUDGE 

^^Come, get a move on, Budge 
^^Yes, Budge, wake up, and quit dreaming. 
IPs nearly two o^clock now; and besides, Alec 
says he^s afraid a storm is going to chase us over 
these bum Virginia roads 

'^And just remember that the tavern where we 
expect to stop overnight is fifteen miles and more 
ahead! Hey! Budge, stir your stumps!^’ 

The aforesaid ^^Budge’’ rubbed his heavy eyes 
with his fat knuckles, and arose from his com- 
fortable mossy seat beside a gurgling mountain 
creek, yawning, and also stretching his chubby 
figure at a great rate. 

Budge was certainly inclined to be fat; and 
his three energetic, wide-awake companions of- 
ten accused him of being lazy in the bargain. 
This he always denied, and put forward the plea 

7 


8 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


that, as he weighed hah again as much as any 
one of them, it stood to reason that he could not 
display the same amount of agility. 

‘^Oh! there you go again, as usual he com- 
plained. ^Tt^s always jump lively now; or get 
a hustle on you. Budge! I never have any 
peace. You fellows are bent on rushing things 
to beat the band. Hang it! Rome wasn^t 
built in a day. What’s the use going off like 
that in a mad whirl? Let’s change our pace, and 
take it just leisurely like, fellows!” 

^^But Budge, once you’re started on your 
motorcycle it hadn’t ought to be a tiresome job 
to just sit there, and guide the machine, which 
does all the work!” suggested a tall, well-built 
boy, who somehow seemed to be looked on as a 
sort of natural leader of the quartet, and whose 
name was Alec Travers. 

“Sure it wouldn’t, if a fellow could only do the 
sitting act,” returned the fat boy, promptly. 
“But d’ye know that I was off my wheel eleven 
times since breakfast! Twice that pesky mag- 
neto gave me bother. Seven other times the 
carbureter went back on me; and the last time, 
you know. Jack had to wait up to fix it. I 
climbed six long hills on foot, and pushed the 
rotten machine ahead all the way. Ain’t that 
enough to make me tired? I don’t like stump- 
ing one bit. Nature didn’t build me for a walker, 
and you know it. So there!” 


THE TROUBLES OF BUDGE 


9 


Each one of these four young fellows had an 
almost brand new motorcycle of the latest im- 
proved make. That of Alec had evidently seen 
more service than any of the rest, though still in 
splendid shape, because he believed in taking 
good care of so valuable a possession. 

Budge was really Nelson Clifford. Boys of- 
ten give a companion a name that seems to be 
just the opposite to that which he deserves; and 
so he had come to be called Budge because, as a 
rule, he was very set in his way, and wouldn’t 
budge a bit. 

One of the other pair was Ambrose Codling, a 
lanky chap with a shrewd face, and the build of a 
runner; who rejoiced in the shorter nick-name of 
^Treckles,” because he could always develop a 
full supply on the shortest notice. His father 
was a physician in the Northern town of Staun- 
ton, where these lads belonged. 

The last motorcycle boy was Jack Kinkaid. 
He had a natural liking for all manner of machin- 
ery, which he came by honestly; since his father 
was the designer of the little Kinkaid engine that 
promised to revolutionize aviation. 

Each of them had chosen to call their machine 
by a name that would distinguish it from the oth- 
ers. Thus Alec’s had always been known as the 
^^Comet;” Freckles invariably stamped his as the 


10 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


^^Cannonball Limited/^ when speaking of it, for 
he was fond of rushing things; Jack on his part 
was content to use the word “Rocket;^^ while fat 
Budge, perhaps in a spirit of sarcasm, dubbed his 
^^Old Hurricane;’’ for in his clumsy hands it was 
usually booming along with more noise than the 
other three combined, and getting its owner into 
all manner of scrapes. 

During the preceding summer Alec had been 
the sole owner of a roadster that was built to 
climb hills at a merry pace. The others of the 
four chums had to be content with ordinary bi- 
cycles. But they had managed to coax their 
folks to present them with new models. Even 
Jack had secured the balance needed from his 
father; for a capitalist had fancied the latest 
invention, and advanced lots of money for a 
controlling interest in the new engine. 

Alec was an orphan, with a jolly guardian 
named Mr. Worthington. He had recently been 
told that it was of the greatest importance that 
he shoujd personally go down to North Carolina 
by a certain date, in order to carry out the pro- 
visions of his father’s will. 

Just what he was expected to do when he 
reached his destination Alec himseK did not 
know; though he expected that it might have 
something to do with signing documents before 
an official of the county in which some of the 


THE TROUBLES OF BUDGE 


11 


property chanced to lie that was to become his. 

He conceived the idea of making the journey 
on his motorcycle. And when his three chums 
heard this they suggested that it would be just 
a glorious thing if only they could secure similar 
means of locomotion, and accompany him. 

Just what wonderful arguments they advanced 
at home need not be stated here. Let it be 
enough for us to know that they managed to 
win out; and in due time a start had been made 
for the Southern Land of the Sky, as the region 
around Ashville in North Carolina is called. 

There was also a bit of tantalizing mystery 
connected with their trip, that seemed to con- 
stantly arouse the interest and curiosity of the 
boys the more they talked it over. 

It came about in this way : 

Just before their start Mr. Worthington called 
Alec into the library, and handed him a closely 
sealed little packet, which he had wrapped in 
oiled silk. All he would say with regard to the 
same was that it must not be opened, or lost on 
the road; and when they reached their destina- 
tion in the Smoky Mountains of western North 
Carolina, he was to search for and deliver the 
packet to some one named Theodore Warren- 
dale, from whom he might learn something that 
would surprise him. 

Of course Alecks chums had heard all about 


12 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


that mysterious little packet; and many had been 
the guesses connected with it. Some of these 
were shrewd, and may have come near the truth; 
while others evoked roars of laughter; particu- 
larly when Budge put on his wonderful thinking 
cap, and suggested the most ridiculous explana- 
tions ever dreamed of. 

All the same it was often on the minds of Alec 
and his friends. Many times when they rested 
at noon, and ate their lunch, the boys would 
quietly take out that queer little packet, and 
look at it with kindling eyes. But he respected 
his guardian’s wishes in the matter, and neyer 
once thought of trying to peep inside that oiled- 
silk cover. 

Of course, by this time even Budge knew how 
to run his motorcycle; though being naturally 
clumsy, he certainly was forever doing things to 
put it temporarily out of commission, so that 
the machinist. Jack, had more or less tinkering 
on his hands. It was a standing joke with the 
others that Budge would do the wrong thing, 
even if there were nine ^ ^rights,” and but one 
otherwise. 

But with all he was so good-natured, and his 
smile so sunny, that no one could get mad at 
him. And taken as a lot, the four travelers by 
this novel means of locomotion formed about as 
jolly a quartet as could be found anywhere. 


THE TROUBLES OF BUDGE 


13 


As a rule they figured on putting up nights in 
towns along the way. Sometimes it had become 
necessary to stop over in queer places; and they 
had many adventures to laugh over in connec- 
tion with life in these country taverns of Mary- 
land and Virginia. 

Alec had intended at first carrying his gun 
along. He found, however, that such a piece 
of baggage would be considerably in the way 
during the long, rough journey. Besides, they 
did not expect to do much camping out, except 
when forced to stop between stations by some 
accident. Jack had also suggested that if they 
appeared to be an armed posse, they might be 
taken for revenue men by some of the mountain- 
eers, who were engaged in defrauding the gov- 
ernment by manufacturing and selling moon- 
shine whiskey. 

So Alec had compromised things by securing 
a little reliable automatic pistol, which he carried 
on his person as a rule. 

They had had the greatest difficulty in keeping 
Budge from fastening all sorts of things to his 
motorcycle before the start was made, so that 
as Freckles declared, he looked like a wandering 
peddler on his travel. He had a coffee pot, a big 
fryingpan, a fishing rod in a case, yes, and even 
his banjo, upon which he hoped to ''strum,'' as 
he called it, at various times along the route. 


14 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


This last had proven the straw to break the 
cameFs back. Freckles vowed that if that in- 
strument of torture (in the hands of Budge, he 
meant) went along, he was of a mind to stay at 
home; for he had a poor opinion of Southern 
jails; and he just knew the whole bunch would be 
arrested for ‘^murdering music 

One by one they stripped poor Budge of the 
articles he had his heart set on; so that when he 
started he carried little besides the knapsack 
containing his extra clothes; and a blanket, the 
latter to be used in case they were caught out 
nights. 

He never ceased complaining about this 
“shame-faced robbery,’’ as he termed it; even 
declaring that he had meant to show them how 
he had improved in his cooking since that time 
during the last summer when they camped out 
in the hills beyond Staunton. 

“What’s the use of coming down south if you 
don’t expect to get baked ’possum and sweet 
’taters?” he used to say, pathetically. “And so 
far, we ain’t had never a bite. I’m going to trap 
a ’possum myself, and show you how it’s cooked. 
You just wait, fellows, and I’ll make your 
mouths water;” but up to now he had not been 
able to keep his word, as the wily animals must 
have heard he was coming, and remained up in 
the trees, hanging from their tails. 


THE TROUBLES OF BUDGE 


15 


Of course the others had to wait for Budge; 
but this was so regular a happening they thought 
nothing of it. Finally, after a great deal of 
grunting and fuming, he managed to get his 
machine started; and went spinning down the 
road amid a perfect furore of reports, that would 
have astonished any native had he chanced to 
suddenly hear the Gatling gun volleys. 

‘^After him, fellows!’’ called Alec, who feared 
that this new freak on the part of Budge would 
only end in another catastrophe, possibly worse 
than any of those in the past. 

The going was none too nice, and it was not 
long before they came upon Budge, sitting along- 
side the road, and fanning himself with his cap. 

He had evidently had pretty nearly all the 
breath joggled from his body, because of the 
roughness of the way, for he seemed to be gasp- 
ing. 

^^Huh!” he remarked, with strong sarcasm in 
his tones, ^ ^strikes me the worm has turned. 
Who’s lazy now, eh? Been waiting up for you 
nearly three minutes.” 

^^Well, get in your seat again, then;” said Jack, 
impatiently; ''because we don’t mean to hang 
out here. We may have covered three miles, 
but that’s nothing when you can hear thunder 
getting louder and louder behind you. Up you 
go. Budge, or we’ll have to leave you.” 


16 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


^^Oh! say, you wouldn’t be cruel enough to do 
that, now, I hope!” exclaimed the other, bestir- 
ring himseK. ^^Why something might carry me 
off, don’t you know? Perhaps there’s bears in 
these parts. I thought I saw something moving 
in the bushes right before you came up, and was 
going to find out after I’d caught my breath.” 

^^Get along with you,” said Frecldes, '^and 
this time don’t try to run off; because you see 
if that storm closes in on us, we may have to 
hang out somewhere along the road, and you’d 
be by your lonely. Mind that, Budge!” 

‘^Well, I’ll come behind this time, fellows,” re- 
plied the other, as he prepared for a fresh start, 
but not without sundry groans. ^^And Alec, 
please look over your shoulder every little while. 
If you miss me, just make up your minds, boys, 
I’m in trouble; and come back before they eat 
me all up.” 

This time the motorcycle boys kept pretty 
well in a bunch as they sped along over the 
rough Virginia road, heading southwest. Budge 
seemed to be spurred to doing his best, for he 
managed to avoid the different obstacles they 
met; though, as a rule, one of the others shouted 
a warning in time to let him know. 

The sun had long since vanished. Black 
clouds covered the heavens in every direction, 
but particularly was this the case in their rear. 


THE TROUBLES OF BUDGE 


17 


And in quick succession to the dazzling lightning 
did the growl of the thunder break the silence 
that brooded over the wild country. 

Each time it seemed closer than before. Alec 
knew that it would be utterly out of the question 
for them to hope to reach the village where they 
had intended to spend the next night, before the 
wild storm broke; and hence he was constantly 
on the alert now to discover some haveh of refuge, 
however humble, where they could seek shelter 
from the expected downpour. 


18 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


CHAPTER II 

STORM BOUND 

^Wait for me, please!” wailed Budge, who had 
somehow fallen behind. 

^^Slow up, fellows;” called out Alec, suiting the 
action to the word himself. 

Once again they were close together, with Jack 
convo3dng the laggard; for Budge was really 
afraid to let out any decent sort of speed, the 
way was so filled with bumps, so that he believed 
himself in momentary danger of being upset in a 
heap. 

Then again it had become horribly dark and 
gloomy, what with that inky pall sweeping up 
from their rear. One would think night must 
be coming on, instead of the hour being around 
three in the afternoon. 

^Wow!” shouted Freckles as a most startling 
flash lighted up their immediate surroundings. 

It was almost instantly followed by a clap of 
thunder that sounded as though the ^‘bottom of 
the sky had fallen out,” as Budge said after- 
wards. It gave him such a scare that he wob- 
bled to and fro from one side of the narrow 


STORM BOUND 


19 


country road to the other, and Jack had trouble 
in avoiding a collision then and there. 

^^Oh! wasn^t that a screamer, though?^^ cried 
Budge, after he had succeeded in regaining con- 
trol over his mount, to which he was accustomed 
to saying soothing words at such a time, just as 
though the motorcycle were a horse with nerves. 

^Tt struck a tree only a httle ways back; I 
heard it smash down across the road!” said Jack, 
with a touch of awe in his voice. 

‘^What luck that we didn’t happen to be right 
there at the time!” declared Budge, who could 
always be thankful things were no worse, no 
matter what was happening. 

‘Terhaps the next one may get us!” said his 
companion, anxiously looking up at the threat- 
ening sky from which the fiery bolts descended. 

guess not. Jack,” the other went on. 'We 
surely didn’t come away down here to be knocked 
out by a flash of lightning, when that could have 
happened to us right at home. Oh! look at 
Alec, will you? He sees something. Jack, don’t 
you think? There, he’s turning now to wave to 
us. And what did he say. Jack?” 

"Hey! Budge, I reckon you’re getting deaf, as 
well as near-sighted,” replied his chum. "Alec 
tells us to hurry on — that he believes he’s located 
some place where three active motorcycle boys 
might crawl under shelter.” 


20 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


'Three almost shrieked Budge, in sudden 
alarm. "What^s going to become of me, then, 
tell me that, will you? I refuse to be the scape- 
goat all the time! If the rest get under, I^m 
going to come, too, or there’ll be lots doing. 
Oh! I nearly ran you down that time. Jack ; 
Excuse me, please; I didn’t mean to do it!” 

"That’s aU right. Budge; of course you didn’t 
mean to — ^you never do. But Alec has jumped 
off his wheel. That says we stop here, come 
what will;” and five seconds later Jack also 
landed on the road close to the two leaders. 

"What do you see, Alec?” cried Budge, as he 
sprawled from the saddle to his feet — ^indeed, so 
clumsy was his movement that no other word 
could possibly do it justice. 

"Follow me, all of you,” said the one address- 
ed, eagerly. "I’m sure I saw some sort of log 
cabin close to the road here, when that bright 
flash came. Yes, there it is again,” as another 
zigzag electric current cut the heavens above. 

"I saw it!” cried Budge, "and it was a cabin 
too.” Then raising his face toward the pitiless 
black sky he said in a grateful voice, as though 
he meant every word: "Thank you!” 

Each boy was now pushing his heavy wheel 
ahead, and making for the dimly seen cabin as 
fast as possible. Another accommodating flash 
allowed them to make sure that it was an unoc- 


STORM BOUND 


21 


cupied building. The door seemed to be hang- 
ing on one rusty hinge; and doubtless the roof 
would be in pretty bad shape. 

But among sailors there is an old saying that 
carried a lot of truth with it, to the effect that 
. ny port is welcome in a storm. And none of 
the boys were apt to complain because things 
did not happen to be all they could ask. 

Dragging the swinging door aside Alec pushed 
his motorcycle within the place. The others 
hastened to follow him, for by now the first big 
drops had begun to patter down, promising a 
deluge presently. 

^Dver in this comer, fellows!’’ Alec sang out, 
having noticed that one portion of the rickety 
roof promised better shelter than the remainder. 

They parked the four wheels against the wall; 
and the rapidity of their movements told that 
they were accustomed to doing this sort of 
thing. Then each fellow unstrapped the large 
package which he carried, and from these four 
rubber ponchos were produced. Two were 
needed to cover the motorcycles; the balance the 
boys intended to use in shielding themselves 
from the little rivulets that had already com- 
menced to trickle through the gaps in the rotten 
roof above. 

All this had been attended to in a wonder- 
fully short space of time; which proved what 


22 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


system would do to hasten things along. Alec 
was a good leader, and could be depended on to 
devise ways and means for meeting every emer- 
gency that arose. Indeed, Freckles and Budge 
had become so used to expecting him to suggest 
something, that they were in danger of losing 
their independence of thought. 

The storm was now fully upon them. What 
with the rush of the heavy rain, the almost con- 
tinual banging of the thunder, and the howl of 
the wind through the forest trees, the combina- 
tion was enough to make even a bolder spirit 
than that of poor Budge quiver with momentary 
fear that something dreadful was about to hap- 
pen. 

Budge had tucked his head under his blanket, 
partly to shut out the dazzling light whenever 
the electricity chose to play; but there must have 
been something terribly fascinating about it after 
all, for from time to time Budge would move 
his head aside, just to take a horrified peep. 

Alec and Jack were endeavoring to hold some 
sort of gruelling confab, with their heads close 
together. Even then at times they had to fairly 
shout, such was the racket by which they were 
surrounded. 

“How about the chances of our going on this 
afternoon?^’ asked Jack. 

“Pretty bad, I should say,’^ replied the other. 


STORM BOUND 


23 


^^But this is only one of these sudden moun- 
tain storms that come and go in a big hurry; it 
won’t last long, Alec,” expostulated the other. 

'Terhaps not. Jack; but listen to the rain pour- 
ing down in a flood. You know what that 
means, don’t you?” Alec went on, soberly. 

^'Sure. Every little bug stream will be bank- 
full. Perhaps some bridges might be swept off 
with the cloudbreak. Well, what then, Alec?” 

“We’ll have to stay here, poor as the place 
is,” the leader continued, decisively. “Half a 
loaf is some better than no bread, you know. 
And I can tell you we’re cheating the storm 
pretty well, with even a broken roof above us. 
Hear it pouring off that corner, will you. Talk 
about your shower baths, there’s one provided, 
scot-free; only nobody seems to be aching to 
take a dip, not even Budge, who wants his share 
in everything.” 

“But what can we have for supper? I certain 
gobbled every bit of the stuff I fetched from that 
Blue Dog tavern this morning,” Jack remarked, 
ruefully; for like the vast majority of healthy, 
growing lads, he was hungry pretty much all the 
time. 

“Well, I’ve got a few things in my pack, not 
enough to fill us up, but better than nothing. 
When the rain stops we’ll manage to make a fire 
and warm up.” 


24 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


^Tire? That sure goes to the spot!^^ exclaim- 
ed Freckles who had been shivering close by all 
this time; being exceedingly thii^ he was apt to 
feel a chill quicker than any of the others, par- 
ticularly Budge. 

^'Just hold your horses a little Freckles, and 
we41 all be happy yet,’’ Alec called out encour- 
agingly. 'Tt’s coming down so hard that it just 
can’t last. Here, let me get your blanket out, 
and take copy after wise old Budge, who’s 
stuffed under his like an Esquimau.” 

Alec was generous by nature. He would stop 
doing anything in order to relieve a companion’s 
uneasiness of mind. And that was one secret 
of his great success among the boys of Staunton. 
They seemed to recognize the unselfish spirit 
that dominated his actions; and there had never 
been any time when a leader was needed but 
what Alec Travers was overwhelmingly elected 
to fill that high office. 

^^What’s all that noise out yonder, I wonder?” 
asked Jack. 

^T’ve been listening,” replied Alec; ^'and come 
to the conclusion that there must be some sort 
of stream just ahead of the cabin here. Seemed 
to me I did notice a dark gully at the time 
we turned in; but I was so anxious to get here 
I didn’t pay much attention to it.” 

^Well, it’s a wild old creek right now, then,” 


STORM BOUND 


25 


returned Jack. ^^Just listen to the way it roars 
will you? Let that keep up, and it^U make a 
lake out of this whole low section at the foot of 
the mountains. 

At that, Budge, who had evidently been lis- 
tening keenly, popped his yellow head out from 
under the blanket, to utter a cry of dismay. 

^^Oh! say, looky here. Jack, Alec,^^ he bellowed, 
'^you don’t believe it’s going to sweep this old 
cabin away, do you? My goodness! I hope 
not. What would become of our motors; and 
yes, what would become of a fellow who didn’t 
know how to swim a stroke?” 

^^Stick to the roof of the shanty then. Budge,” 
declared Freckles unfeelingly. “It’d make a 
prime raft, I reckon. Anyhow, you wouldn’t 
sink. A fellow as fat as you just couldn’t go 
down. Think of what would happen to me if 
I hurt my arm, and couldn’t strike out. I’d 
go down like a rock. I’d — ” but another bril- 
Uant flash broke in on what Freckles was saying, 
and he stopped short, to duck his head involun- 
tarily. 

“Oh! did you see that monster then?” cried 
Budge, even before the roll of the thunder could 
break in to drown his voice. 

Both Alec and Jack had eyes, and they had 
seen the same thing that unnerved the fat boy. 
Some gaunt looking animal, not unlike a wolf, 
though possibly it might only be a wild dog of 


26 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


the mountain region, had burst in through the 
partly opened door, as though seeking shelter 
from the storm. It was standing there, glaring 
at the group of boys as though angry at finding 
its expected refuge already occupied; and the 
white flash had disclosed a pair of baleful yellow 
orbs and two rows of glistening fangs. 


SUPPER BY WIRELESS 


27 


CHAPTER III 

SUPPER BY WIRELESS 

Inside the old deserted log cabin it was almost 
dark, when there happened to be no lightning 
playing overhead. Still, Alec believed he could 
just barely make out the crouching figure of the 
terrible looking beast. 

Poor Budge had rolled himself completely in 
his blanket, and humped back further into the 
corner among the motorcycles. Never a very 
brave lad, he had been completely demoralized 
by the crash of the wild gale, the falling of trees, 
and the new danger that confronted them in the 
shape of this unknown beast. 

Alec fumbled in his pocket until he found the 
little automatic pistol, though not daring to once 
take his eyes from the spot where he could just 
make out that shadowy figure, for fear lest he 
lose the animal altogether. 

Out went his hand, and then he waited for 
another flash to come, so that he might not en- 
tirely waste ammunition. Jack was close be- 
side him, and probably conscious of what he 
must be doing; but he refrained from clutching 


28 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


Alecks arm, or in any other way interfering with 
his performance. 

The seconds seemed horribly long, each being 
an eternity; for Alec’s heart had, as he believed, 
actually ceased to beat under the tremendous 
tension. Then without warning the light came 
again. 

He saw that the beast had moved from its 
former position. It was now several feet closer 
to the boys, and to one side; but just as before 
the gleaming eyes and glistening teeth proclaim- 
ed that its feeling of pronounced hostility was as 
great as ever. 

Alec waited for no more. Quick as a flash he 
moved his hand. With an automatic, aim is 
hardly necessary. One covers the intended 
mark just as readily and instinctively as though 
it were the forefinger that it pointed. 

One, two, three shots Alec poured in, following 
so fast upon each other’s heels that they seemed 
almost like the continuation of the first report. 

Budge broke out into a yell; and as though by 
concerted signal aU the others joined in to swell 
the sound. Doubtless the same idea had come 
to every one of them; which was, that the human 
voice when raised after this fashion can frighten 
almost any wild beast, when heard for the first 
time. 

Another lightning flash came while the vol- 


SUPPER BY WIRELESS 


29 


ume of sound yet rolled up out of that old shack. 
And Alec saw with considerable pleasure that 
the beast had vanished. The three quick flashes, 
the sharp bark of the firearm; the sting per- 
haps of the missiles; and last, but far from least, 
that tremendous volume of boyish shouts, had 
completed the demoralization of the intruder. 

^Tle’s gone!’’ cried Jack, drawing a big breath 
of genuine relief. 

^^Bully for you, Alec! You tickled his hide 
for him!” added Freckles Codling. 

'^Oh! what yellow eyes, and terrible teeth! I 
just know he expected to dine off me, fellows!” 
exclaimed Budge, from his blanket. 

^Well, he’s made up his mind that he didn’t 
care to get in here out of the storm, after all; 
which suits us just as well,” remarked Alec; who 
was himself trembling a little from the excite- 
ment of the moment, though none of the others 
suspected such a thing from the steady tone of 
his voice. 

^Was it a wolf?” asked Freckles. 

^To be sure it was,” Budge broke in with. 
^'Haven’t you seen just such critters in the cir- 
cus, many the time. And a savage wolf at 
that, let me tell you. Wow! how he snapped 
those shiny teeth of his when he saw me. Alec, 
you saved my life that time, I honestly believe.” 

Freckles laughed out loud at that, as he ob- 
served: 


30 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


^Tunny how some people always want to get 
in the limelight, ain^t it? Budge here thinks 
he’s always IT every time anything happens. 
Just as if that beast would pass by such a tender 
morsel as me to grab him.” 

^^Tender morsel — ^you?” cried the indignant 
Budge. '^Why, if. you ever dropped in on a 
cannibal feast they’d have to parboil you first 
before toasting. Ten to one they couldn’t get 
a splinter in you without hitting it with a maul. 
You tender! Huh!” 

^^But was it a wolf, do you think, Alec?” Jack 
demanded. 

^ ^Honestly, I hardly think so,” replied the one 
who had faced the animal closer than any of 
his mates, and ought to be in a position to say* 

^^Why do you say that, Alec, when we all think 
the other way?” asked Freckles. 

^Tn the first place I doubt very much if there 
are wolves now in all this region roundabout* 
Many years ago they roamed the whole country; 
but even in the mountains of North Carolina 
they’re supposed to be extinct,” was the sensible 
way the other explained his position. 

^^But what could it have been then?” pursued 
the determined lengthy one; for as a rule Freckles 
wanted to know all about things from the very 
start. 

think it was cousin to the wolf,” Alec went 


SUPPER BY WIRELESS 


31 


on. be plain, it must have been a dog.^^ 

^^But no dog would look that savage when he 
saw human beings!’’ cried Budge. ^^With a 
storm behind him he’d have crept in here cowed, 
and tried to make friends.” 

^^Oh! there are dogs, and then dogs,” laughed 
Alec. ^^Now, I think that chap was one of the 
wild ones, a hater of human kind. That’s why 
he showed his teeth when he found us camped 
in his quarters here.” 

wild dog!” cried Freckles. ^^Say, do you 
mean it, Alec, or are you joshing us?” 

^^Yes,” echoed Budge, showing considerable 
interest, though he kept watching the spot 
where he knew the partly open door stood, ^^are 
there really any wild dogs?” 

^Xots of ’em,” came the ready reply. “Now 
and then some dog feels the call of the wild, and 
goes back to Nature. They gather in packs in 
the woods, and get a living just like wolves 
would do, killing sheep and hunting game. I’ve 
heard of such things lots of times. And that 
shaggy looking yellow terror was just such a 
renegade, I reckon.” 

“Hope he don’t change his mind, and come 
back again,” remarked Jack. 

“Oh! do you think there’s any chance of that, 
fellows?” ejaculated Budge. “Don’t you be- 
lieve it would be better to get that door closed 
some more?” 


32 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


''Sure we can, Budge. Here, fellows, the 
storm is slackening up; and while we have the 
chance, let’s get hold and see what can be done,” 
and Jack himself boldly led the way across to 
where the unwelcome intruder had so recently 
stood. 

After all they were not able to entirely swing 
the door shut. Time and the weather had 
warped it out of shape, more or less. But while 
the others held the door. Jack fastened it with 
some stout cord he happened to possess. 

"There, how’s that?” he demanded, as he 
completed the task. 

"Fine and dandy,” replied Alec. "It would 
have to be a pretty slim dog that could creep 
through that sht now. But do you notice that 
the rain seems to have stopped completely?” 

"About time,” grumbled Freckles. "Listen 
to that freshet roar, would you? Small chance 
of getting away from here today, eh, Alec?” 

"No use thinking about it,” answered the 
one addressed, promptly. "We’d never be able 
to get across that stream tonight; and even if 
we did, who can say how many others lie be- 
tween here and that tavern. No, boys, we’ve 
just got to make the best of a bad bargain, and 
stay here.” 

"Well,” remarked philosophical Jack, "it 
might be much worse, you know.” 


SUPPER BY WIRELESS 


33 


'^That^s so/^ echoed Freckles, quick to fall in 
line. ^^Our next job will be to get afire started, 
and dry things out here. After that, well quit 
sliivering, and feel ten times better. Hey, 
there^s Budge lighting up his lantern right now. 
It^s too dark and gloomy in here to suit him.’^ 

^^Like as not Budge wants to look around a 
bit, and make sure there isn^t another wild dog 
hiding somewhere about,^’ laughed Jack. 

^^There he goes, turning the light on in every 
direction, remarked Alec, as the three stood 
near the barricaded door, watching the move- 
ments of their chum. 

“Would you see that?^' remarked Freckles, 
presently; “he^s even looking aloft, as if he ex- 
pected a bobcat now to come sailing through 
some hole in the roof. Oh!^^ 

A sudden shrill shout from Budge caused tliis 
last exclamation on the part of the tall, wiry lad. 

“Oh! looky there, will you? Didn^t I tell you 
something would crop up for us to provide a 
supper? Ain^t we like the Children of Israel 
in the wilderness though? Hurrah! just wait- 
ing for us to come along and gobble him, wasn^t 
he, fellows?’’ 

“What ails the boy?” exclaimed Jack. 

“He’s pointing at something up there, and — 
well, what d’ye know about that, eh?” Freckles 
broke out. “See there, Alec, dangling from the 


34 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


rafter, just for all the world like a prime country- 
fed ham. Don^t you see it now? And after 
Budge saying what he did about having one with 
sweet potatoes some fine day! Bully for us! 
We’re in the game!” 

^^As sure as anything I do believe it’s a ’pos- 
sum!” ejaculated Alec, staring at the suspended 
object as though he could hardly believe his 
eyes. 

^^Course it is!” shouted Budge. ^^Can’t you 
see his gray hide, and that long ratfile tail he’s 
got twisted around that pole up yonder. Pre- 
tends to be asleep; but I bet you he’s playing 
’possum all right.” 

^^But what’s he doing in here?’ demanded 
Freckles. understood a ’possum only hid in 
trees, and slept that way through the day.” 

^^Oh! he thought this was as good a place as 
any to spend his leisure time,” laughed Alec. 
^Terhaps Budge here sent him a wireless that 
we’d be along, and he was expected to provide 
a supper for the crowd.” 

''He’s going to, all right, don’t you fret,” 
cried the one mentioned, as he looked around 
for something with which to poke at the dang- 
ling object. "Say, don’t this just take the cake, 
fellows? Talk about your Virginia inns, this 
old shanty has got ’em all beat to a frazzle. 
Fried ’possum — ^yum! yum!” 


SUPPER BY WIRELESS 


35 


Budge had laid down his little acetylene 
searchlight, taken from his motorcycle; and se- 
curing a bit of wood that had possibly fallen 
from the broken roof, began to make wild passes 
at the dangling animal. 

He could not come within six inches of it 
however; and there was not the slightest move- 
ment on the part of the alarmed Opossum to 
prove that it possessed life. Like the foolish 
ostrich that, beset on its native desert, hides its 
head in a little clump of grass, and fancies itself 
hidden because it can no longer see; so the Opos- 
sum believes in ^ Splaying dead,’’ with the ex- 
pectation that the attention of its enemy being 
removed teniporarily, it can slip away and hide. 

^^Here, gimme that stick. Budge,” said Freck- 
les. ^^You’d never hit him in a year. It takes 
a tall man to work that racket.” 

Grumbling something to the effect that val- 
uable goods always came in small packages any- 
way, Budge handed over the piece of wood. 
Freckles succeeded better than his companion, 
and presently dislodged the swinging ’possum. 
Even when it fell to the ground with a thump 
the crafty animal refused to show signs of life; 
and taking no chances Freckles prepared to 
knock it on the head. 

^^Make sure work of it,” said Budge, eagerly. 

^ 'Don’t let him fool you! Give him a few more 


36 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


hard ones, Freckles! I^d just feel sick if he got 
away, after letting us get our mouths fixed for 
fried 'possum/^ 

“Oh! it^s no use; he^s a dead one, all right, by 
now. But just think of him hanging there all 
the time, and never squeaking once, even when 
Alec fired at that wolf-dog !^^ the tall boy re- 
marked. 

“What^s next, Alec?'^ asked Jack. 

“I should say a fire,^^ came the reply. “But 
don^t let’s forget boys, that weVe still got a few 
gallons of explosive gasoline in the tanks of our 
machines, and ought to be mighty careful how 
we carry on.” 

Everybody got busy from that minute. The 
door was unfastened again, so that a foraging 
expedition might sally forth, in order to look for 
dry tinder in the heart of some fallen tree. One 
of the boys carried a little axe along, the sharp 
edge being protected by a sheath; for they had 
anticipated having to camp a few times while 
on this trip across several states. 

The storm had passed, although clouds still 
hung overhead, making their surroundings 
gloomy enough, with evening close at hand. 

But once a fire had been kindled in the de- 
serted cabin things began to slowly take on a 
more cheerful aspect. 

Presently larger bits of fuel could be used, and 


SUPPER BY WIRELESS 


37 


by that time enough heat was generated to be- 
gin drying, not only the clothes of the boys, but 
the interior of the old building as well. 

Alec, having spent a year on a Western ranch, 
was quite at home in many lines. He took it 
upon himself to prepare the ’possum for cooking; 
though secretly inclined to believe that the boys 
might find themselves disappointed when they 
came to partake of the dish; for to be properly 
appreciated, the animal, which has a taste not 
unlike a young pig, should be baked. 

Each boy selected a bit of the meat, and did 
his best to cook it by thrusting a long splinter 
of wood through the same, and then toasting 
it near the fire. This was the old-time hunter 
style all of them had read about in stories of 
early days, as written by Cooper and others. 

Budge made out to enjoy it; but the rest can- 
didly declared they seemed to feel little hanker- 
ing for ’possum. Fortunately there was enough 
food in the party to satisfy their craving. Break- 
fast would have to look out for itself. 

Afterward they sat around, with blankets 
drawn over their shoulders, chatting, and try- 
ing to feel that they were enjoying the adventure. 
But Budge voiced their sentiments pretty well 
when he grunted after making a move, and de- 
clared that his joints seemed to be getting stiff, 
as if they needed oiling. 


38 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


And then, when it came to spreading their 
blankets on the now dried ground, with the idea 
of getting some sleep, it took them quite some 
time before the last one had lain down. 

The fire was nearly out by now, as they wished 
to save the balance of the dried wood for morn- 
ing. Alec was himself slowly yielding to the 
drowsy god, in spite of his uncomfortable bed, 
when suddenly he believed he heard sounds from 
without. He sat up to listen; and at the same 
time knew from the movements close beside him 
that some of the others had also been wakeful, 
and heard the same noises. 

Then came a gruff voice calling out: 

^^Somebody^s in the old cabin. Cap! I smell 
smoke 1^^ 

“Surround the place then. DonT leave a 
loophole for ^em to get away! Let the dawgs 
loose, Zeke!^^ 

Quickly following these loudly uttered words 
there came a tremendous thumping on the door 
of the cabin, which the boys had fastened again 
before lying down. 

“Open up here and surrender, boys! WeVe 
got the place surrounded. No use to think of 
slipping through. Open up, I say!^^ 


A NIGHT TO REMEMBER 


39 


CHAPTER IV 

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER 

Complete silence followed this gruff demand 
from without. Really, not one of the four 
startled lads could find his voice to make any 
reply. Even Budge had been awakened; and 
as a general thing it took something little short 
of an earthquake to arouse him, once he got 
asleep. 

Bang! bang! bang! came the pounding again. 

^^Open up here, or weT punch the door in!’’ 
shouted the same heavy voice. 

^^Oh! my goodness gracious! what is it?” gasp- 
ed Budge, gripping Jack by the arm, as he 
groped around in the half darkness. 

Alec was moving by now. Perhaps his ready 
mind began to grasp something of the truth. 
It was the voice of a white man that made this 
demand; and he could fancy there was something 
like authority back of it. 

^^All right, sir!” he called out. ^'Just wait till 
I stir up the fire, please!” 

Immediately they heard several exclamations 
beyond the heavy walls of logs, as though tho 


40 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


words of Alec gave the unseen callers more or 
less surprise. 

“Keep your guns ready, boys! If so be they 
try to make a run for it, drop ’em like hot cakes!” 
the gruff voice went on, sternly. 

Alec knew just where to pick up a handful of 
fine tinder. When he had tossed this on the 
smouldering fire the flames immediately sprang 
up, so that gradually the interior of the cabin 
became less dim. 

Without the least hesitation the boy hurried 
over to the door, and adroitly removed the stout 
cord that was preventing its being opened. 
Immediately he saw it drawn wide, and a man 
strode through the opening. 

He was a heavy-set fellow, wearing coarse 
homespun clothes, high boots, and a big hat. 
Something he was carrying in his right hand 
glistened in the reviving fire. Alec knew that 
it must be a pistol; for a year on a cattle ranch 
had accustomed him to seeing such weapons 
handled. Still, he did not shrink in the least; 
for already he had guessed the truth. 

The man stopped short, and stared around at 
what he saw — the four young fellows and the 
covered bunch of motorcycles in the corner. 

“Well, what hev we struck here, boys?” he 
exclaimed in his booming voice; after which he 
broke loose in a loud, hoarse laugh that seemed 


A NIGHT TO REMEMBER 


41 


to shake his whole body. pack o’ kids, it 
air, and white uns at that? Git hold of the 
dawgs, Zeke. We don’t wanter hurt these lads. 
They ain’t the reptiles we’s a-huntin’. ” 

Three other men flocked inside the old cabin, 
and one of these had hold of a couple of hounds 
that looked as though they might be able to do 
considerable execution, once they got to work. 

^T’m the sheriff o’ the county, boys,” the man 
in the lead explained, after he had once more 
looked around him. ^This is my posse, yuh 
see, an’ we’s out after a couple o’ coons that has 
been terrorizing the hull community this long 
time past, stealin’ whatever they kin lay hands 
on, and burnin’ sev’ral barns that had good 
terbaccy stored in ’em. Harper’s my name.’^ 
^^Glad to meet you. Sheriff Harper,” said 
Alec, accepting the big hand that was extended 
frankly, after the man had hastened to return 
the pistol to his pocket. '^My name is Alec 
Travers. We’re from the North, and are on 
our way down to Asheville bn a motorcycle trip. 
The storm made us hunt for shelter, and that is 
the way we happen to be here.” 

^^Glad tuh know you, suh,” said the sheriff; 
and Alec was satisfled to get his hand free from 
his hearty grip before the bones cracked. 

Each of the other boys was thereupon intro- 
duced in turn; and Alec could not but smile 


42 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


grimly as he saw the way they turned pale, and 
winced, after coming in touch with that grip of 
the officer. Then the posse had to have their 
turn, and the friendly handshaking continued 
through until every one had been made acquaint- 
ed with the rest. 

^^DonT suppose, now, yuh happen to hev 
seen airy sign of these black rascals?^^ inquired 
the sheriff presently, as he warmed his hands at 
the blaze. 

“Not that we know of, sir,’’ replied Jack. 
“Of course we’ve run across lots of negroes 
during the day, but they all seemed to be peace- 
able, well disposed men. We did have a visit 
from what we believed to be a wild dog, that 
looked like a wolf; but Alec frightened him off 
with a few shots from his little automatic gun.” 

“What’s that like now?” asked the burly 
sheriff. “I’ve been hearing of some of them 
’ere tools, but never set eyes on one yet.” 

Accordingly he had to be shown. And while 
he eyed the queer little weapon in some curiosity, 
he shook his head and grinned, as he turned to 
his wondering posse, saying: 

“What would I look like toting a plaything 
like that, boys? Think I could skeer a bad man 
when I p’inted my finger at him, and said: 
^Hands up’? Reckon they ain’t much account 
fur sheriffs. The bigger the gun the easier 


A NIGHT TO REMEMBER 


43 


tuh cow the game. 1^11 sure stick by the old un 
a while longer.^’ 

But it was the wonderful motorcycles that 
took the eye of those native Virginians. They 
could appreciate the great value of such novel 
means for covering territory; though all of them 
were amazed when Alec declared that such a 
machine was capable of going some two hundred 
miles without needing a new supply of gas. 

^What does yer tank hold, then?^’ asked the 
sheriff, as he bent down and handled the hand- 
some up-to-date Reading that had borne Alec 
over so great a distance without any serious 
accident. 

^^About two gallons and a half,^^ was the reply. 

“And how fast cud yuh go on the level?^’ 
continued the other. 

“Sixty miles an hour in a pinch,’’ Alec went 
on, smiling at the deep interest of the sheriff; 
“but of course the road would have to be mighty 
fine to do that, because it’s racing speed. Up 
hill and down, it makes no difference, they work 
like a charm.” 

“I’d like to own one fust rate,” sighed the 
big man; “but I reckons now, they wouldn’t be 
much use in the brush. And that’s whar most 
o’ my work hes tuh be kerried'on. A boss kin 
go where this thing dassent. But I’m glad tuh 
hev seen ’em. They sure is beauties, boys, an’ 


44 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


I reckons as how yuh enjy good times mounted 
on ^em. But say, we must be goin^ on/’ 

“Do you think those two barn burners might 
be near here?” asked Budge, who had been 
anxiously waiting to put this question for some 
time. 

“We was hot on thuh trail when that pesky 
storm had tuh knock all our calculations criss- 
cross,” said the sheriff. “But p’raps the dawgs 
kin git a scent agin, if so be we happens tuh 
strike across the trail. An’ we’re out tuh finish 
the business this time or bust, ain’t we, boys?” 

The posse obediently declared that they were 
bent on winding up the criminal career of the 
pair of rascals who had so long been living on 
the peaceful community, and creating a reign 
of terror along the border. 

They were determined looking fellows, and 
the boys felt that the two black desperadoes 
had finally stirred up a hornet’s nest when they 
tempted Sheriff Harper and his posse to take 
their trail. Like bloodhounds they would hang 
on now to the bitter end. 

Gravely the handshaking was all gone through 
with again. The boys would have been better 
pleased to have dispensed with this formality; 
but they were afraid of offending the gruff but 
friendly sheriff. Poor Budge winced under the 
pressure, and nursed his fingers for a long time 


A NIGHT TO REMEMBER 


45 


afterward, saying they felt as though they had 
been in a vise. 

^^So-long, boys* take good care o^ yourselves. 
And if so be yuh happens across them two ras- 
cals, give 'em a wide berth. They're all to the 
bad," sang out the sheriff, as he backed out of the 
door, through which his men and the two hounds 
had already preceded him. 

'Thank you, sheriff, we will," replied Alec. 

"Good-by, sheriff, and good luck to you," 
called Jack. 

"Hope you get your game, sir!" Freckles put 
in, as the door was pushed shut. 

But Budge said not a word. How could he 
when the tears dimmed his blue eyes, what with 
the pain in his poor fingers after that gorilla 
grip? He was whimpering to himself, and rub- 
bing first one hand and then the other sympa- 
thetically. If ever fortune allowed them to 
meet up with that energetic giant again, he 
would be sure to find some excuse for declining 
the honor of accepting his hand. 

Again Jack fastened the door as before. And 
once more they sat around the fire for an hour 
and more, talking over the new adventure that 
had befallen them. All of them save Budge 
seemed to think the burly sheriff was a pretty 
good fellow; but that individual vehemently 
insisted that he was a pirate, a butcher, and ev- 


46 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


erything else that was bad he could bring to 
mind. 

^^He^s got the strength of a gorilla in that hand 
of his ” he declared. guess I know now what 
it feels like to drop into a threshing machine. 
Never more for little Nelson. My joints^ll feel 
sore for a week, see if they don’t.’’ 

^Well, we never expect to run up against our 
friend, the sheriff, after this, so you needn’t 
bother thinking about it,” Freckles remarked, 
yawning widely. 

^Turn in again, you fellows. No use of the 
lot of us spending the whole night sitting up,” 
Jack said, as he started to rearrange his own 
blanket. 

^^One thing I think we’d better change our 
plans in,” observed Alec; ^^and that’s about let- 
ting the fire go out.” 

^^Just what I was going to say,” broke in 
Budge. ^^Seems to me this ain’t a safe place 
to be in the dark. What with wild dogs, ’pos- 
sums, black criminals at large, and sheriff’s 
posses wandering around loose, I want the light.” 

^^Oh! well, we can pick up more wood in the 
morning, I suppose,” agreed Freckles who, 
truth to tell, was himself not in the least averse 
to having the cheery fire continue to burn, as 
they dozed away the balance of this exciting 
night. 


A NIGHT TO REMEMBER 


47 


^^All right, then,” Alec remarked. ^Xeave 
that duty to me, fellows. I^m something of a 
fire crank, you know. I^U keep it burning all 
we need from now on. If any of you just happen 
to wake up, and see that it needs fixing, take a 
hand, will you?” 

All of them readily promised, even Budge; 
though his chums knew very well that if the fire 
had to depend on his waking up it would be 
black out long before dawn came around. 

Alec managed to lie down in such a position 
that his face was toward the door of the cabin. 
Not that he really anticipated there would be 
any further excitement during the remainder of 
the night; but somehow, what the sheriff had 
said about the reckless and desperate nature of 
the two jail-birds whom the posse was hunting, 
had impressed itself on his mind in a way that 
made him a bit nervous. 

But even Alec slept at last, for he was tired 
with the rough riding of the preceding day. 
Long before this he knew that his three chums 
were enjoying the soundest kind of sleep. This he 
could tell from their heavy breathing. Budge 
had a habit of lying on his back, and when so 
doing was apt to make a series of queer little 
snorts and gurgles that would have frightened 
away any one not accustomed to them. 

Freckles had several times played sly tricks 


48 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


on the fat boy. Once he had even secured one 
of those patent clothes pins that pinches shut; 
and this he managed to carefully fasten on the 
other’s nose. Of course Budge awoke when he 
could no longer breathe properly; and as soon as 
his wandering hand came in contact with that 
wooden appendage his shouts aroused the entire 
camp. 

But Freckles himself was far gone now, and 
paying not the least attention to those gurgles 
and snorts, which continued right along unmo- 
lested. 

Alec opened his eyes. He knew he had been 
asleep, but just how long he could not say; 
though when he looked at the fire he saw that it 
had burned pretty well down, and needed at- 
tention before he took another nap. 

He was just about to rise up with this idea in 
view when he thought he heard a slight scratch- 
ing sound. It seemed to come from the direc- 
tion of the door too; and this significant fact 
caused a thrill to shoot through the frame of the 
lad. 

Alec turned his eyes in that direction instantly, 
while his hand crept down to the pocket where 
he kept his weapon. Ah! it was no delusion af- 
ter all; there was something moving alongside 
the door, something that pushed into the cabin 
by way of the crack between the jamb and the 
stubborn door. 


A NIGHT TO REMEMBER 


49 


Straining his eyes, and taking advantage of a 
friendly flicker of flame that by some accident 
chanced to spring into life just then, the boy was 
enabled to see what that moving, groping object 
was. It could be nothing more nor less than a 
black hand; and the glittering object clasped be- 
tween the set fingers must be a knife, with which 
the party outside was intending to cut the cords 
that held the door closed! 


50 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


CHAPTER V 

ON THE CAROLINA BORDER 

Although startled at what he saw, Alec for- 
tunately enough did not lose his presence of 
mind a particle. Had it been Budge, now, the 
chances were he would have been almost para- 
lyzed with horror; and even when he did recover 
in a degree, the best he could ever have done 
would have been in the line of a howl. 

Quick action was necessary, in order to frus- 
trate the evident design of the one who was back 
of that dusky hand. Undoubtedly the pair of 
desperate blacks being hunted by the sheriff's 
posse had doubled on their tracks; and discov- 
ering what a prize awaited their picking inside 
the old cabin, had determined to hold the four 
lads up. 

Alec sat up suddenly. 

At the same time his right hand flew upward, 
and instantly a sharp report filled the interior of 
the place with echoing sounds. Nor did he stop 
there. In the case of the wild dog the continuous 
bombardment must have had much to do with 
the animaPs fright; and it might be the same 
here. 


ON THE CAROLINA BORDER 51 


Accordingly Alec pressed the trigger of his 
little automatic twice more. Then he stayed 
his hand in order to ascertain the result. 

The dusky digits had been instantly with- 
drawn; and he could hear hasty footsteps, as if 
one or more persons might be running away in 
alarm. 

Then Bedlam broke loose, what with Budge 
whooping it up. Freckles demanding to know 
who had taken the club which he had so care- 
fully placed alongside his blanket before going 
to sleep, and Jack asking questions of Alec. 

It took all of five minutes for things to get 
straightened out, and the story to be told. 
Meanwhile all of them kept anxious looks on the 
insecure door, as if half expecting that it would 
be threatened again. 

^Wow! no more sleep for this chicken tonight, 
fellows!” declared Freckles, with a determined 
shake of his head. 

donT fancy any of us can manage to get 
another wink; unless it^s Budge here. It would 
take more than a dozen scares to keep him 
awake,” Jack observed. 

^ Well, ainT that a pretty good indication that 
IVe got the real stuff in me, and can show grit?” 
demanded the party mentioned, promptly. 

'T guess about all youVe got in you right now 
is tough Opossum meat,” remarked Freckles, 
with biting sarcasm. 


52 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


But despite these little pleasantries between 
friends, it was apparently the universal opinion 
that it would be folly to think of sleeping any 
more, while holding the fort in that same old 
cabin. 

^^Seems like anything can happen here, fel- 
lows,^’ grumbled Budge, who was making the 
best of it, and lying wrapped in his blanket. 

^^What time is it anyhow, Alec?” asked 
Freckles. 

The other took out his little nickel watch, and 
consulted its face by the light of the fire. 

^^Just seven minutes after three,” he announc- 
ed. 

^‘Oh ! so late as that?” remarked Jack. Why, 
it will be daylight inside of two hours, or three 
at the most. We ought to be able to hold out 
at that, boys.” 

^^Easy thing,” chirped Budge; and within ten 
minutes of the time he made that flippant boast 
Freckles had to jab him in the ribs in order to 
coax him to turn over, so as to stop those same 
old ridiculous gurgling sounds; for Budge was 
positively sound asleep. 

But the others stayed wide awake. Now and 
then they talked a little, when feeling a bit 
lonely. The time dragged along; until finally 
Alec announced that it was five o^clock, and he 
could see the dawn breaking through the hole in 
the roof. 


ON THE CAROLINA BORDER 53 


It was just as Alec said. When they opened 
the door, and crept out to hunt for more wood 
in order to build up the fire, the darkness of 
night had indeed given way to the coming of 
day. 

After a patient ransacking of all bundles a 
little food was discovered, not at all sufficient 
to satisfy the ravenous demands of four hungry 
lads; but at least it would help to stay their 
appetites until they could do better. 

^^Hi! look here where your bullets went 
through the old door, Alec !” called out Freckles, 
who was down on his hands and knees investi- 
gating. 

Of course this brought them all to his side. 
Alec knew that he had purposely fired low at the 
time; and the three holes could be plainly seen. 
Now that interest had been awakened in the 
matter they even went outside; and a minute 
later Jack set up a cry, to announce that he had 
made a discovery 

^^Alec, you must have winged that fellow,’^ 
he exclaimed. ‘^See, here are several spots of 
dried blood on the dead leaves. They couldnT 
have been there last night, or the rain would 
have washed them away/’ 

Alec looked at the marks a bit uneasily. While 
these men were desperadoes, and would have 
treated them roughly had they been given the 


54 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


chance, still, he did not much fancy the idea of 
having wounded one of them. 

^^But what about the wild dog?^^ he remon- 
strated. surely hit him once or twice, you 
know.’’ 

^^Sure you did,” returned Jack; ^^but it kept 
on raining after he ran away. If he left a trail 
behind him it would have been washed out. But 
you can see no water has fallen on these marks. 
Ain’t that right, now, Alec? You’ve been with 
trackers before now, and you know.” 

^^Yes, I guess you’ve hit it. Jack,” replied the 
other, with a serious look on his face. “But 
I’m more than glad now I aimed low. I’d hate 
to think I had shot a human being seriously.’' 

Investigation speedily proved that the creek 
had gone back into its bed again. It could be 
forded easily enough, two of the boys at a time 
carrying over one of the motorcycles. 

In this way they finally made a start, and 
really none of them expressed any regrets at 
leaving behind that lonely tumble-down cabin 
where they had met with so many queer adven- 
tures. Even Budge, upon being teased by 
Freckles concerning the merits of that glorious 
’possum feast, admitted that things might not 
on occasion, prove all they were cracked up 
to be. 

Once safely across the creek, and their shoes 


ON THE CAROLINA BORDER 55 


having been replaced, the party was ready to 
take up their forward progress. This business 
of carrying the motorcycles over streams had 
already been carried out too many times on this 
trip for the boy tourists not to have gotten it 
down to a fine point. Budge generally escaped 
service, for he was so very clumsy that once he 
had stumbled, and come near dropping his end 
into the water. Sooner than have that hap- 
pen the others were satisfied to scatter his share 
of the work among them. 

The road was by no means improved by the 
recent downpour of rain; though Budge grum- 
blingly complained that it had been so bad all 
along that nothing could make it any worse. 

Their progress was far from rapid; but then 
they hoped for better things continually. Youth 
is ever sanguine, and there is always a rainbow 
of promise luring enthusiastic ones along the 
journey. 

^WeTe going to cross over into the Tarheel 
state when we get to the very next stream, fel- 
lows,” announced Alec, presently. 

'^Hurrah! Don't I hope it'll be better going 
than we've found along these Virginia highways !' ' 
said Freckles. 

''Listen! I thought I heard a shout ahead!'' 
called Alec. 

They chanced to be afoot at the moment. 


56 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMvS 


Budge had fallen behind, and it was principally 
to wait for his arrival that they stopped at the 
top of a little rise. He had now joined them, 
and they had been about to make a fresh start 
when Alec stopped them with this remark. 

^^Youhe right, Alec,^’ said Freckles. ^Tor 
there’s something moving in that scrub down 
there. It’s a man, I tell you, and he’s got a 
rifle. There’s another, yes, and a third one. 
Say, I can see a couple of dogs. Honest now, 
I believe it must be our old friend, the sheriff, 
and his posse.” 

^^Gracious!” 

Budge said this partly to himself; but when 
Alec glanced that way presently he was consid- 
erably amused to see the other hastily wrapping 
a handkerchief around his pudgy right hand. 
Evidently Budge did not mean to give the sheriff 
another chance at him. Surely Ihe gentleman 
would not persist in wanting to shake the digits 
of an injured hand. 

A few minutes later and shouts attested that 
the posse had sighted them. They came up 
shortly afterward, and the boys were surprised 
to find that each of the men was mounted on a 
horse. 

When the Virginia sheriff heard what had hap- 
pened at the old cabin some hours after he and 
his men had departed, he vented his annoyance 


ON THE CAROLINA BORDER 57 


in a way that was possibly characteristic of his 
profession. At any rate it proved that the 
sheriff could get off some pretty stiff language 
when he felt that he had, as he said, been 
^^hocussed by fate.’^ 

^ Well git right back thar, boys, and pickup the 
scent. If so be the kid did really wound one o’ 
the critters, it’ll be easy goin’. Ain’t got time to 
even shake hands ag’in, much as I’d like tuh. 
So-long, aU, and thank yuh for puttin’ us on the 
track.” 

Budge smiled again, and began to unwind his 
poor hand. He saw the mounted posse ride off 
along the back trail, the dogs giving tongue oc- 
casionally, as though they knew through some 
instinct that their hour was near at hand. 

^Wonder if they’ll close in on the rascals now?” 
said Freckles, as he saw the last rider pass from 
sight around a bend. 

^The sheriff seems to think his dogs can v/ork 
all right now on a new scent, and after the rain. 
I happen to know how that is, and I believe he’s 
going to give the two scamps the scare of their 
lives,” Alec remarked. 

^'Of course they saw us inside that cabin?’^ 
Freckles said. 

^^No reason why they didn’t, with all the holes 
where the old mud had fallen out of the chinks,” 
replied Jack. 


58 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


‘^What d^ye think they meant to do to us?^^ 
queried Budge; which was a matter he had been 
ponderin'^ over for some time. 

^That would be hard to say,” Alec answered. 
^Terhaps they wanted to rob us of any money 
we might happen to possess. They couldnT use 
the wheels; but then they might have smashed 
the same in pur6 deviltry ; or because they feared 
we might be tempted to put some one on their 
track in a hurry.” 

^^Ugh! ain^t I glad you happened to wake up 
and give them the grand hurrah, though,” 
Budge went on, drawing a long breath of genuine 
relief. 

^^Mount and be off with you, old Stick-in-the- 
Mud!” cried Freckles. 

Accordingly they made another fresh start, 
with a slight down-grade before them. 

^There^s some sort of river ahead of us, Alec!” 
announced Freckles presently. 

“Say, if iFs too big, and there’s no ferry, how 
do we get across?” demanded Budge, who was 
keeping pretty well up with the rest as a rule, 
because he had a secret fear lest he be suddenly 
set upon by the two hunted blacks, and perhaps 
kidnapped. 

“Make a raft, and carry the machines over,” 
said Jack, promptly. 

“But you’ll have to swim, or stay on the Vir- 


ON THE CAROLINA BORDER 59 


ginia shore, Budge; we can^t be bothered drag- 
ging you across on a float, Freckles was pleased 
to say. 

^^Thanks, but there’s a ferry, all right, be- 
cause I just now got a squint of a rope that goes 
across the river,” Budge announced. 

^^He’s right, fellows, for I saw it myself,” 
Alec called back over his shoulder. 

It proved to be the case, much to the relief 
of Budge; though of course he knew his tall 
chum was only teasing when he spoke in such a 
cold-blooded way about abandoning him so 
cruelly. 

The flatboat was on their side of the stream, 
but though they shouted until tired, nobody ap- 
peared to ferry them over. 

^Tt must be a go-as-you-please sort of a jig- 
ger,” declared Freckles, ^^everybody for him- 
self. So hop aboard, and stow the wheels 
away, some of you. We can pull the old boat 
as well as the next one.” 

All seemed to go well for a starter; but when 
they had gotten about the middle of the swift 
little river there came a sudden sharp snap, and 
the rope cable parted from the tree to which it 
had been fastened on the opposite shore, so that 
the clumsy old flatboat began to swing down- 
stream at a rapid rate, turning around in the 
current like a chip at the mercy of a flood! 


60 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


CHAPTER IV 

A HARD RIVER TO CRO&S 

^^Help!’^ shouted Budge, as he saw what had 
happened. 

^ What dye know about that?’' cried Freckles, 
staring aghast at the rope, which was beginning 
to slip rather speedily through the pulley aboard 
the flatboat, as the current carried them down- 
stream. 

But it was quick-witted Alec who realized the 
danger to which they were now exposed. If 
the whole of that rope should pass through the 
big wooden pulley block it would allow them to 
go sweeping down in the middle of the swift 
river, and with unknown perils ahead to give 
them new thriUs. 

There was a way to stop it, and Alec lost not 
a moment in putting himself in touch with the 
task. They saw him spring hastily forward, 
and snatch something up from the deck of the 
boat. It was the rope that had flown partly 
aboard at the time the strain had broken it. 

This he instantly whipped about a convenient 
cleat. His movements were like lightning; and 
before even Jack realized what he meant to do 


A HARD RIVER TO CROSS 


61 


there came a sudden little shock; and the boat 
instead of continuing to drift straight down the 
river, began to swing back toward the shore, 
from which they had. so recently started. 

^^Bully boy!^’ Jack yelled, as he caught the 
idea for the first time. 

The rope held, for Alec was tugging at it des- 
perately, so that it might not be jerked loose. 
Jack jumped to his side, and gave him a hand. 
And in another minute the ferry bumped against 
the shore. 

^^Well, here we are, no better off than when we 
started,’’ laughed Alec. 

^^Yes, and only for that bright idea of yours, 
old fellow, we’d like as not be spinning along 
down stream, turning round in the grip of the 
flood, and not knowing where we’d ever bring 
up,” Jack remarked, gripping his chum’s hand. 

Nor was this the first time that he had seen 
that same intuition of Alec grasp a situation, 
and fling defeat aside for victory. 

^^But how’re we going to get across?” said 
Budge, dismally. ^Tt’s too deep to do the wad- 
ing act; and that current wouldn’t let us carry 
the wheels. If somebody could only get over 
with that rope, perhaps it could be fastened 
again.” 

^That’s just what. Budge,” remarked Jack. 
‘^And I’m already picked out for the job, ain’t I, 
Alec?” 


62 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


“If you want to try it, I^m not going to hin- 
der,” replied the other. “But first of all we 
ought to push the old scow up-stream again.” 

Some poles were soon found that bore evi- 
dences of having been used for this same pur- 
pose. While two pulled on the rope, the others 
bent their backs to the push-poles; and between 
the several forces the heavy old flat was finally 
landed back at the original spot. 

“Say, why couldn’t we use these poles, and 
get her across?” asked Freckles. 

“I’m afraid it’s too deep out there to touch 
bottom,” said Alec. 

“And besides,” Jack added, “even if we did 
manage to get over, we’d land far below, and 
have a dickens of a job getting the wheels back 
to the road again. The best thing for us to do 
is to carry that rope across, and make a new 
hitch. Here goes for a try.” 

He soon had his clothes off. Then taking 
the end of the rope in his hands he and Alec 
walked up the bank as far as the line would allow. 
This was done because Jack knew the swift 
current would bear him down after he had lost 
his footing; and he wanted all the allowance 
possible. If he fell short, he would be carried 
back to the Virginia shore once more, and noth- 
ing gained. 


A HARD RIVER TO CROSS 


63 


But Jack did not mean to fail. He and Alec 
studied the river and its currents. 

^Tf you can only get to that rock sticking its 
nose up yonder, I believe you can make the rif- 
fle, said Alec, pointing. 

“Just my idea to a dot,^’ the other replied, 
“and I feel pretty sure I can do it. Here, fas- 
ten the rope around under my arms, because 
I want both hands free when swimming. Now, 
I^m ready to duck in.^^ 

“Luck go with you, old fellow,^’ said Alec. 

The two aboard the scow set up a hearty cheer 
when they saw Jack wading out. He had con- 
siderable difficulty in holding up against the 
current; but being a sturdy lad, managed to 
brace himself so as to avoid the inevitable as 
long as possible. 

When it became absolutely necessary to give 
in. Jack took a header, and began to swim with 
powerful overhand strokes. The cries of his 
mates encouraged him not a little, though every 
foot he won had to be fought for savagely, such 
was the grip of the current at that point. 

Now Jack had about reached the vicinity of 
the partly submerged rock. Everything de- 
pended on whether he could make a gallant and 
successful stand. Alone he might not have been 
able to hold out long enough to get a fresh grip 
on his almost exhausted powers; but bracing 


64 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


himself against the rock he waited until such 
time as he once more felt in condition to finish 
the game. 

Then he calmly waded ashore, amid the plau- 
dits of Freckles and Budge. 

^^Bravo! bravo cried both of them, clapping 
their hands. 

As soon as Jack had succeeded in fastening the 
other end of the cable to a tree those aboard 
the boat set to work again. This time two of 
them rendered what aid they could by means 
of the setting poles until the depth of the water 
rendered these useless. Then they started pull- 
ing at the cable. 

When in the middle of the rapid little river, at 
just the place where the accident had occurred 
before, they almost held their breath in suspense. 
But apparently the weak part of the rope must 
have been at just where it passed around the 
hmb of the tree; for it held all right now. 

^^Oh! I’m glad we got across without a duck- 
ing,” said Budge, as they came to the landing 
where Jack awaited them, and his clothes. 

^Tt’s too bad about you. Budge,” remarked 
Freckles. '^Water and you never did seem to 
agree. Why, before I was knee high to a cat 
I could paddle around like a duck; and dive to 
beat the band.” 

^Well,” answered Budge, good naturedly. 


A HARD RIVER TO CROSS 


65 


fellow can^t be everything, you know. Some 
people are that nervous they can^t sleep when 
there^s the least bit of danger around. That 
state of affairs donT feaze me a bit, you know. 
That^s the difference between us. Freckles — 
youTe the nervous kind* I^m more composed 

Freckles gave him one look, sniffed the air 
disdainfully, and retired, worsted in the war of 
words, as he often found himself. Sarcasm was 
generally wasted on Budge, and his long-legged 
chum used to say that his skin was almost as 
thick as that of a rhinoceros. 

After Jack had fully dressed they prepared to 
start out once more. Alec had employed this 
time in examining his road map again, for it 
would be a serious thing if they went many miles 
out of the way just for lack of caution. Besides 
they had to always consider the getting of a 
supply of gasoline, so as to keep a sufficient stock 
on hand at all times to be sure of a run of sixty 
or eighty miles. 

^^And are we now in North Carolina, Alec?^^ 
asked Budge, who was coming close behind, as 
usual, with his motor making no end of nuisance. 

^^Yes, and I understand that theyVe got a 
severe law in this state against the use of a 
muffler cut-out,’^ said Freckles, severely. 

The noise stopped instantly. 

^^He^s yarning, ainT he, Alec? IVe heard 


66 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


of such silly things up North; but in the South 
they don’t care. And besides, there are times 
when my engine won’t work right when I use 
the muffler. You fellows draw away from me 
like fun. I’ll have to get Jack to give it a good 
overhauling the first chance we find.” 

Jack groaned. He had been doing that same 
thing regularly for Budge ever since they started 
away from Staunton. The trouble seemed to 
be that Budge was a bungler, and meddled with 
things he didn’t understand; so that he was con- 
tinually interfering with the proper working of 
his motor. 

They kept on until noon, with the road noth- 
ing to boast of, though fair enough to allow of 
half way decent time. 

Whenever they chanced to pass some little 
settlement the greatest excitement abounded; 
for in all probability never before had such a 
machine as a motorcycle turned up in this lo- 
cality; and when not only one but four of the 
powerful little affairs went whirling past the 
houses and cabins, every soul in the place, and 
chickens and dogs in the bargain, exhibited the 
most tremendous excitement. 

Such a barking, cackling and screeching as 
ensued baffled description; and the boys were 
compelled to laugh heartily every time it hap- 
pened. 


A HARD RIVER TO CROSS 


67 


Once Budge by accident ran over a chicken 
that was bound to run squawking across the 
road in front of him, instead of staying safe 
where it was, as silly fowls invariably do at such 
times. 

Fortunately he was not going fast at the time 
and managed to save himseK from a bad tumble 
by ramming gently into a fence corner, after 
shutting off power. 

The others missed him, and hearing loud cries 
in the rear, turned back to the rescue. They 
found Budge in the midst of a circle of gaping 
and jabbering poor whites, one of whom was 
holding the decapitated fowl accusingly before 
him, and evidently giving vent to all manner 
of dire threats if he did not immediately come 
up with the price of the bird. 

^^How much for the chicken, neighbor?” 
asked Alec, as he dismounted from his wheel and 
faced the angry crowd of villagers. 

They stared hard at the quartet of natty 
looking speed boys, and the wonderful contrap- 
tions which had borne them hither from the 
haunts of civilization. 

^Tifty cents,” the man managed to reply, 
doubtless cunning enough to say double the 
value of such a bird at this remote point. 

^There you are, my friend,” said Alec, plank- 
ing down two silver quarters in the itching palm 


68 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


of the native, ^^and since weVe bought the fowl, 
111 hang it on my saddle here. For who knows, 
boys, but what we may have to camp out again 
before we get to the place we are aiming for.^^ 

^^Say, mister, IVe gut harf a dozen I^d let 
yuh hev et that price,.^’ spoke up an old woman. 

^^An’ I cud mebbe spare a few, I reckon ad- 
ded a tall, gaunt specimen of a Tarheel native, 
as he turned his quid over and over reflectively. 

But Alec only laughed. He knew that the 
village where they had intended stopping on 
the preceding night was only a couple of miles 
ahead; and that they could expect some sort 
of feed there. 

So they mounted again, after waving good-by 
to the staring crowd; and amid a whirlwind 
of popping, vanished down the road. But it 
would be many a day before their visit was for- 
gotten in that quiet nook of the back country. 

Reaching the village they found a country 
tavern, where a meal was served after a tanta- 
lizing wait. No matter if it did not come up to 
expectations in more than one respect, there was 
quantity at least; and as Budge remarked when 
he happened not to have his mouth crammed, 
^^that was what they were looking for just then; 
quahty might do another time; there was a 
vacuum to be filled after so long a fast; and 
Nature abhors a vacuum, and much more to 


A HARD RIVER TO CROSS 


69 


the same effect, all of which the others knew was 
said just to condone his frightful inroad on the 
food set before them. 

That night they reached a town that was fully 
ninety miles away from the point where they had 
crossed the border. They put up at an inn, 
and, not being too keenly on the lookout for causes 
of complaint, managed to enjoy their supper. 

^ ^Anyhow, fellows,’^ remarked Freckles, as 
he gnawed away at the razorback ham, “this 
is sweet, nut-fed ham, if it is tough. And let 
me tell you, it just beats toasted Opossum all 
hollow.’’ 

“Oh!” exclaimed both Alec and Jack, pre- 
tending to hold their hands to their stomachs as 
though the remembrance was hardly pleasing. 

“Oh! please let up on that,” gurgled Budge. 
“It was all wrong. I’ve been talking about it 
to the hotel man here, and he says ’possum 
should never, never be eaten unless baked. So 
some fine day perhaps we may have the chance 
to try it again; and flanked by the sweet pota- 
toes or yams. Anyhow, I’m glad we’re out of 
Old Virginia, and that tonight a poor fellow can 
really get some sleep.” 

“Sleep!” burst out Freckles, holding his hands 
up in pretended indignation. “What d’ye know 
about that, fellows? And he the only one who 
put in a solid three hours at a clip while the rest 


70 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


of us stayed awake on guard. But let^s go and 
put our wheels where they’ll be safe from med- 
dlers; or we may get stranded right here in this 
cross-roads settlement, fifty miles from no- 
rfhere.” 


A NIGHT AT THE COUNTRY TAVERN 71 


CHAPTER VII 

A NIGHT AT THE COUNTRY TAVERN 

After supper was over the four motorcycle 
boys sat out on the low porch, where they could 
talk, and take it easy, until such time as they 
chose to hunt their beds. 

All of them were more or less tired, for it was 
no joke chasing along those rough and stony 
roads. Some places they had navigated had 
proven so terrible that even the best riders 
thought it good policy to dismount and walk for 
a stretch. As for Budge, he had lamented his 
hard luck more times than he could remember. 

The balance of the boys knew the stubborn 
nature of Budge, however, and that the very 
mention of his giving up would be like waving 
a red flag in front of a bull. Complain he might, 
just as an old sailor always does; but prove a 
turncoat, never! For they had called him 
Budge just because he always stuck. 

^What about our wheels, fellows?^^ remarked 
Freckles. 

''Jack and I looked after them, all right,’^ Alec • 
answered. 


72 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


“Then they’re safe enough,” the other went 
on ; which remark showed the confidence he felt 
in his chums. 

We had them taken into the room next to 
the one two of us expect to occupy tonight/^ 
Alec went on. ^'You see this tavern is shy on 
guest chambers, and there’s only one fit to 
occupy upstairs. We thought Freckles and 
Budge ought to take that, while the rest of us 
could bunk down in a little den the landlord 
showed us. Besides, to be so near our wheels 
makes my mind easier.” 

^There’s a door between our sleeping room and 
the place where the motors are stored. Alec 
made sure to lock the outside door of the big 
closet; so nobody’s likely to get in at ’em,” said 
Jack. 

^^But what would they want to take our v/heels 
for?” demanded Budge, indignantly. 

^They couldn’t, in the first place,” smiled 
Jack; ^^because we’ve got the whole bunch fas- 
tened together with a chain and padlock. But 
you never can tell what a thief may do when he 
finds himself balked; and you know we’d be in a 
nice pickle if he just sliced our tires for us, eh?” 

^^Well, I should say so,” agreed Freckles, ^^and 
I give you fellers credit for being so smart.” 

'^Have you got our route laid out for tomor- 
row, Alec?” asked Budge. 


A NIGHT AT THE COUNTRY TAVERN 73 


‘Tretty well, though it’s subject to change, if 
we stril^ a bad section. The map-maker hasn’t 
been dwn in this region lately, and things often 
turn out different from what they are described,” 
laughed the other. 

^^Well,” grunted the stout youth, sure hope 
that we strike better traveling than we had to- 
day. I give you my word I’m mighty near done 
up; and bruised, say, it’d be hard to find an inch 
of me that don’t ache.” 

^^Oh! you’ll get used to all that in time. 
Budge,” remarked Freckles, in what was in- 
tended to be a consoling tone. expect that 
before we go back to dear old Staunton you’ll 
be as tough as nails. They won’t know you 
when you’ve dropped about thirty pounds or 
more.” 

^That’s right. Budge,” assented Jack. 

really suppose you fellows mean Veil,” 
remarked the other; ^^but sometimes I wonder 
if it’s worth all this trouble and groaning. But 
speaking of going back, does anybody have the 
least idea when that will be?” 

^^Oh! after Alec has finished his little business 
in Asheville,” Freckles took it upon himself to 
answer; ^^and then delivered that packet to Mr. 
Theodore Warrendale, the gentleman we are to 
look for somew^here among the Big Smoky 
Mountains, on the Tennessee border line.” 


74 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


^^Ain’t it funny now why Alecks guardian never 
gave him a hint about that important party?” 
Budge continued, musingly. ^^Right now none 
of us know who he is, or what he looks like. 
All we have to do is to keep right on asking for 
Theodore till we stack up against him; and then 
poke out our little packet.” 

donT believe my guardian himself knows 
who he is,” Alec replied, seriously. ‘There 
seems to be some queer mixup about the thing. 
The only point he was sure of was that a clause 
in my father^s will stated that the packet found 
sealed in his effects he wanted dehvered to this 
Theodore Warrendale before a certain time had 
expired; and that he would like me to be the 
one to personally deliver it. No one was to 
open it under any circumstances, unless three 
years had passed, and. the party could not be 
found.” 

“Gee! that sounds thrilling, though!” exclaim- 
ed Budge. “And the lot of us have been nearly 
bursting our think-boxes trying to guess what it 
all means. I often try to picture in my mind 
just what Theodore is going to look like. And 
somehow, at every guess he turns out to be a big 
strapping mountaineer, that once on a time did 
your dad a good turn down here when he was 
buying up property. He^s been left something 
handsome, and your governor just wants you 
to be the one to hand it over.” 


A NIGHT AT THE COUNTRY TAVERN 75 


Alec smiled but made no reply, though Freck- 
les took up the argument. 

'^RatsT^ he exclaimed, in his vehement way; 
^^stop and look at it, will you? Don^t stand to 
reason that a rawboned mountaineer moonshiner 
would go by the name of Theodore Warrendale, 
does it now? IVe been thinking that weT find 
out this wonderful party is some big cracker jack 
in the locality around Asheville; perhaps a local 
judge who was a friend of Mr. Travers long ago. 
Watch my smoke, and see how near I come to 
the mark, will you?^’ 

Alec shook his head, and the look on his face 
was one of perplexity. 

don’t know, fellows,” he said. ^T’m just 
as much up in the air as any of you; for I never 
heard the name before in all my life that I can 
remember. But there are times when something 
seems to tell me I’m in for a big surprise when 
I come face to face with this gentleman.” 

^^You must have some reason for thinking so, 
Alec?” put in Jack. 

^^Yes, I have,” replied the other. ^^You know 
my father was suddenly stricken with paralysis 
before he died. He tried terribly to tell me 
something at the last, but was utterly unable. 
I’ve never forgotten the look on his face. And, 
boys, when I get to thinking about it, somehow 


76 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


I seem to just feel inwardly that what he wanted 
to speak about has some connection with the 
little packet I’m carrying right now.” 

The others saw that Alec was nearly overcome 
by emotion, as he recalled the tragic time he 
had lost his father; and Jack quickly changed the 
conversation, to give his chum a chance to re- 
cover. 

There was plenty to talk about, for each day 
brought its many little adventures. What had 
happened when crossing the border river af- 
forded an abundance of opportunities for hum- 
orous comment; and presently Freckles and 
Budge were deep in an argument as to where 
they would have possibly brought up, had Alec 
failed to seize upon the broken cable, and stay 
their drifting progress downstream. 

One thing led to another, and presently Budge 
happened to remember the chicken he had run 
over, which was purchased for half a dollar. 

^^Here, what about that fowl I bagged today?” 
he demanded, suddenly. 

^Tisten to him. brag, would you?” laughed his 
tormentor. ^To hear him talk you’d think he 
was the greatest Nimrod that ever came over 
the pike. Sounded just like he said: ^Trot out 
that last lion I knocked over, and let the varlets 
see what a mighty man they have for a riding 
chum!’ ” 


A NIGHT AT THE COUNTRY TAVERN 77 


didn’t I kill the bird, tell me that?” 
demanded Budge, aggressively. 

^Tt never squawked after you bowled over it 
with your three hundred pounds of heft, that’s 
dead sure,” returned Freckles, promptly. ^Tf 
it had been a cow the result would have been just 
the same, I calculate, once you got your steam 
roller working.” 

^Well, it won’t keep forever, will it. Jack? 
Ain’t we going to dine off it? I’d just like to say 
for once the whole bunch had feasted off game 
that fell to my gun,” the perpetrator of the foul 
deed went on. 

^^Game?” snorted Freckles. ^^An innocent, 
trusting Biddy, weak in the upper story, and not 
knowing your machine was loaded for bear, tries 
to flutter across the road, when you come slam 
bang up against her, and she is no more. Be- 
sides, I felt of her, and I give you my word, boys, 
that hen was pretty near her dotage. Tough 
is no name for it. We tried Budge once on the 
’possum stunt; are we going to risk our lives a 
second time just to make him happy?” 

^The landlord has promised to hand it out in 
the shape of a stew for breakfast. So just hold 
your horses,” Jack interposed. 

^^Bully! and it’s nearly ten o’clock right now, 
so we won’t have so very long to wait !” exclaimed 
Budge. 


78 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


His enthusiasm must have soon waned, for 
in less than ten minutes from that time Freckles 
discovered that he was sound asleep in his chair. 
As the balance also felt tired, and in need of rest, 
it was decided to separate. Budge was badgered 
until he could be partly aroused, and led away 
upstairs by Freckles; while the other pair re- 
tired to the little room on the ground floor. 

Alec passed into the big closet adjoining, and 
soon came out again unreeling a small coil of 
insulated electric bell wire. This he attached 
to a buzzer which he placed near his side of the 
bed, while Jack, who understood the racket, only 
smiled and nodded. 

What Alec called a ^ ^closet’’ was in reality a 
small room, used for storage. Place had been 
found for the four motorcycles, which, as has 
been mentioned before, were fastened together 
with a chain and lock. 

This storeroom had window and a door. The 
latter Alec had locked; but he was suspicious of 
the window; for though he used a stick to brace 
the sash, one of the panes was broken, and a 
hand could easily reach in to remove the pro- 
tection. 

The two lads soon tumbled into bed; and re- 
lying on his automatic sentinel to warn him of 
any peril hanging over their precious wheels, 
Alec wasted no time in worrying about their 
safety. 


A NIGHT AT THE COUNTRY TAVERN 79 


At some time during the night he was aroused 
by what sounded like a locust rattling away to 
beat the band. And as he and Jack sat up in bed 
they realized in a twinkling that after all the 
safeguard had not been set up in vain; for surely 
some intruder must be forcing a way into the 
little storeroom where the motorcycles were 
parked. 


80 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


CHAPTER VIII 

THE WORM TURNS 

As though propelled by springs both Alec and 
Jack bounded out of bed. The former had made 
all preparations for this exciting moment, even 
though he had hardly expected that it would 
come about. And consequently his groping 
hand instantly seized upon a match, which he 
struck. 

His next act was to apply the flame -to the 
little lamp taken from his wheel; and the carbide 
of which had been allowed to come in contact 
with sufficient water to insure a certain amount 
of gas, should he want it in a hurry. 

The light was of course not half as brilliant 
as it would otherwise have been; but it answered 
all the purposes of Alec; who snatched the lamp 
up and hurried over to the connecting door. 

To turn back the bolt that secured this, and 
fling the door wide open was but the work of a 
second. Then he flashed his light beyond, and 
with Jack close at his elbow, pushed across the 
sill. 

They were just in time to see a dusky figure 


THE WORM TURNS 


81 


that had been crouching near the floor make a 
flying leap for the window. The intended thief 
had crawled in, after raising the lower sash; but 
in his extreme haste to go out he carried the 
whole affair with him. 

^ Whoop shouted Jack, in more or less ex- 
citement, when there came a tremendous jin- 
gling of broken glass, and the thud of the landing 
body. 

Alec hastened to the gaping opening, and 
thrust his lamp out. The man was just scram- 
bling to his feet, and Alec caught one glimpse of 
a badly frightened face turned toward him. 
Then the fellow took madly to his heels, and 
made off. 

Of course the greatest excitement followed. 
Everybody about the building was awakened 
by the racket, and voices called out to know 
what had happened. Some appeared to think 
it must be an earthquake; and Freckles was 
heard trying to calm Budge, who had fallen out 
of bed in the sudden alarm, and thought the 
house was afire, with no hope of a rescue. 

Then came the landlord, hastily clad, to make 
inquiries. Alec and Jack had in the meantime 
slipped on some clothes, knowing that they 
would be expected to explain. And besides, 
they considered it best to move the wheels into 
their room for the balance of the night; since 


82 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


they were too valuable to take the chances of 
some furious vandal wrecking them in spite. 

^^Who’s sick?’’ asked the proprietor, after 
knocking at the door. 

^^We don’t know his name,” answered Jack, 
humorously; ^^but he looked like he was suffer- 
ing from a headache as he galloped down the 
road, after smashing through your window. 
Come in and see what happened, landlord.” 

Great was the surprise and indignation of the 
owner when he learned what had taken place. 
With true Southern spirit he chose to take it as 
a personal reflection on his honesty, that guests 
under his humble roof should have been in 
danger of being robbed. 

^Tf I only knowed who the wretch was, I’d 
fix him,” he kept on saying. ^'Ye say as how he 
was a white man, and not black.” 

^^Yes, that’s true, but I never saw him before,” 
Alec replied; ^^and I’d hardly like to turn sus- 
picion on any one by trying to describe him. 
Better let it go at that, landlord. No damage 
has been done to our machines; you’re the only 
loser through that broken window.” 

^That’s true,” said the gaunt North Caro- 
lina inn-keeper, with a shake of the head; ‘^but 
I’ve got a reputation among the people of this 
section. I’d hate mighty tamal much for ’em 
to think Honest Si Corey kept a inn whar travel- 


THE WORM TURNS 


83 


ers wasn’t safe. I^m gwine tuh keep my eye 
peeled for a gent that has cuts on his head; for 
I surely do reckon, suh, as how that party 
couldn’t break through yonder without doing 
of himself some damage. And if I find him, it’s 
going to be a sorry day foh that white trash, I 
give yuh my word.” 

^^Say, Alec, did they get ’em?” called a trem- 
ulous voice from above; and looking up the boys 
saw Budge and Freckles hanging out of a couple 
of windows, eagerly drinking in every word that 
was being said. 

^'Not at all. Budge,” laughed Jack. ^^Go 
back to bed, and get rested up for another hard 
day’s work tomorrow. We’re going to take the 
machines in with us. They’re all right, give 
you my word for it. Ta! ta! now.” 

By degrees the excitement quieted down, and 
those belonging in the neighborhood, who had 
come out to ascertain what had happened, one 
by one went back home. After Alec, with 
Jack’s help, had pushed the four motorcycles 
through the connecting door into their sleeping 
chamber, giving the boys little room for moving 
around, the two of them once more sought their 
bed. 

And the balance of the night passed quietly, 
without another alarm. Whether the landlord 
discovered who the would-be thief was or not, 


84 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


the motorcycle boys, never learned; for they 
left the place after a hearty breakfast, in which 
Budge’s '^game” played a prominent part, and 
never saw it again. 

As usual Budge was yawning and stretching 
when he dropped down among the balance of 
the group on the porch, where they awaited 
the bell that would summon them to the feast. 

^^Well,” he expostulated, when Freckles took 
him to task for his tardiness, ^^guess you’d be 
in no hurry either, if you’d been kept awake 
all night like I was. It wasn’t enough that I 
had to be thrown out of bed when you jumped 
up so sudden like; but how can a poor fellow 
sleep when he’s lying alongside a big frog from 
the bazoo swamps? All night long he keeps up 
that noise, fellows; you don’t wonder it gets on 
my nerves, and keeps me awake, do you?” 

Freckles opened his mouth, then closed it 
again. He almost had his breath taken away 
by the very audacity of the thing. Budge had 
actually stolen his thunder; since the shoe was 
really on the other foot, and it was Budge who 
calmly slept on, while his lengthy chum squirm- 
ed, and tossed, and punched the fat boy in the 
ribs, with entreaties to turn over and quit trying 
to arouse the dead with his snores. 

He hardly knew what to make of Budge 
nowadays. Surely the worm was turning; and it 


THE WORM TURNS 


85 


was no longer safe to play jokes on the good- 
natured one. He had learned how to get back 
at his tormentor on occasion. 

The ^ ^chicken stew,” as the landlord called 
the fricassee, proved to be quite tasty and it was 
laughable to see how Budge fairly beamed with 
pride as he asked each member of the quartet 
in turn if he would not like a second helping. 

It had been brought in on a large platter, and 
placed in front of Budge, by the directions of 
Jack. 

^^Oh! donT be bashful, now, fellows,” the host 
kept on saying, as he turned first to one and then 
another. ^Tlenty left here yet. When I go 
after game, you see, I always pick out a nice big 
fat one, that will go around. Who’s going to 
have some more? Don’t all speak at once, now. 
Well, if none of you want any, I’m blessed if 
I’m going to see such a prize wasted.” And he 
cleaned off the platter handsomely. 

^That was a great stunt you played last 
night, Alec,” remarked Freckles, who for a 
wonder, seemed to be letting Budge severely 
alone for the time being. 

^^Do you mean about the buzzer that woke us 
up?” laughed the other. ^Dh! nothing very 
wonderful about that. Simplest thing ever. 
But it worked like a charm, let me tell you, 
boys.” 


86 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


can vouch for that/’ declared Jack. ^The 
first shock sent me up in bed just like I’d had 
a dose of electricity. It’s a queer sensation to 
be jerked out of a sound sleep so sudden. I was 
dreaming something funny too, and thought the 
car had run off the track. But I’m wondering 
if that poor wretch has a bad headache this 
morning. Oh! boys, if you could only have 
seen him hit that window and fall out, carrying 
the whole business with him. It was just great!” 

Freckles groaned. 

^‘Just my luck to miss the peaches and cream,” 
he said. ^^Now, I’d have given a heap to have 
seen that show. But I had my hands full as 
it was; for Budge was so badly rattled by that 
crash he fairly rolled out of bed, and set up a 
holler that he didn’t do it. He won’t confess 
what he was dreaming about; but I know it 
must have been something funny. Hey! Budge, 
if you’ve licked that platter clean let’s get a move 
on. Alec and Jack are off, and it’s time we 
started.” 

The morning seemed to promise a good day, 
and according to Alec’s programme they might 
expect to halve the distance separating them 
from Asheville before another night descended. 

As the roads had dried by this time they 
found the going somewhat better than on the 
preceding day, though the hills were harder to 


THE WORM TURNS 


87 


climb. Poor Budge, being so clumsy, and 
timorous at the same time, frequently found it 
necessary to dismount and walk, afraid to take 
chances of navigating his machine between the 
numerous stones that cropped out in the road. 

This of course held them back considerably; 
but as they were in no particular hurry com- 
plaints failed to follow. And besides. Budge 
always had the most wonderful excuse ready to 
account for his delay. Once, for instance, he 
had seen a big snake, and felt an irresistible de- 
sire to slay the monster; only it scuttled into its 
hole before he could find a club. 

^^That wise old serpent knew what he was up 
against,’^ sneered Freckles when he heard this 
thrilling tale. ^^He knew mighty well that he 
hadnT the ghost of a show when he had caught 
the eagle eye of the great hunter and backstop 
foul catcher of the team. But why didnT you 
run over him. Budge? Nothing like that method 
of getting your game, when everything else 
fails.’’ 

Budge did not condescend to explain; but 
he had carried his point; for the others had 
waited for him at the little bridge over the 
creek. 

At noon they managed to get something to 
eat at a cabin where some colored people lived 
alongside the road. True, it was limited to 


88 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


corn pone and milk; but as there was an ample 
supply placed before them, the boys were sat- 
isfied, and paid the small reckoning with satis- 
faction; after which they sped on once more. 


AN EXCITING INTRODUCTION 89 


CHAPTER IX 

AN EXCITING INTRODUCTION TO ASHEVILLE 

^'Where do we hold over tonight?’^ asked 
Budge, about three that afternoon, as the four 
chums loitered along the road, admiring the wild 
scenery. 

^^As weVe only got another short shift to 
Asheville, we’d better stay in a town where we 
can be sure of decent beds, and something good 
to eat,” suggested Jack. 

^^Just what I thought, fellows,” returned 
Alec, cheerfully. ^ ^Suppose we take a rest here 
for a breathing spell, as I notice Budge is puffing 
after that last hill climb, when Old Hurricane 
got too frisky to be held in, and had to be led by 
hand.” 

^That suits me aU right,” retorted Budge, 
not a particle abashed by the charge. 

So a halt was called, and as the others clus- 
tered around Alec, he took out his well-thumbed 
map, and explained just what course he was fol- 
lowing. 

Since motorcycles need at least a fairly decent 
road in order to make progress, in such a state as 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


. 90 


North Carolina, it often becomes necessary to 
make wide detours so that wretched thorough- 
fares can be avoided. Thus it may be the mo- 
torist covers fifty miles of plugging, in order to 
advance ten as the crow flies. 

^Tf I had to do it over again,'’ said Alec, ^T'm 
sure I could make a better go of the job. I've 
found out lots of blunders that might be avoided. 
Still, here we are, not more than fifty miles from 
Asheville; and I believe the roads get better from 
now on; plenty of hills but smoother surfaces." 

^Ts this the town where we stay tonight?" 
demanded Budge. “Wonder if they are up to 
the times? D'ye know, I'm sort of getting rusty, 
fellows? I'd like to visit a motion picture show 
for a change, and see life again." 

Of course that was an invitation for Freckles 
to laugh scornfully. 

“Why, what d'ye know about that, boys?" 
he exclaimed. “When all of us believed our 
friend Budge was having the most exciting time 
of his whole career on this adventurous trip. 
Think of what we've been through — that storm 
chase; the old cabin by the roadside; the com- 
ing of the wild dog; the finding of that 'possum; 
the pounding on the door by the sheriff; the 
visit from the black fugitives; the breaking of 
the ferry cable; the great kill Budge made on 
the road, which we enjoyed for our breakfast; 


AN EXCITING INTRODUCTION 91 


and last but not least, the attempt of some one 
to steal our wheels. And yet he says it^s been 
awful dull! Goodness gracious! what a greedy 
thing it is; and how can we satisfy Budge?^^ 

^^By finding him a chance to look at some 
pictures showing how apples are raised over in 
Oregon; or the millions of fierce animals we 
swallow with every sup of water. Those are 
the things that make his blood boil. The rest 
of us are too slow for Budge, it seems, laughed 
Jack. 

After awhile they made a new start, and in- 
side of an hour had arrived at the town men- 
tioned. Hardly had they passed into the limits 
of the place before Budge gave vent to a whoop 
of delight. 

^ There she is, fellows 1^^ he cried; ^^over yonder 
at the corner! See the placards handing out 
the dope for tonight. TheyVe up to snuff, 
these people are. And all the wonders of the 
universe for the small sum of ten cents. Me 
for the picture show, after IVe had my grub 
tonight.” 

^^Oh! well, the rest of us might as well tag 
along, to see that you know how to behave 
properly,” said Freckles. 

‘Tes,” grinned the other, ^TVe heard that old 
story often, how the wise dad takes his boy to 
the circus; it's one word for the boy, and ten 


92 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


for the old man. But I guess therell be plenty 
of room for us all. The more the merrier. 
And just see what a treat weTe up against, 
would you? Tragedy, comedy, instruction and 
pathos — ^you pays your money and you takes 
your choice; as the peddler said, who was selling 
photos of Roosevelt, Bryan, and several others, 
and they all turned out to be the same picture. 
Oh; ainT I glad here’s where we get off.” 

None of the quartette seemed sorry, for while 
they had not made any astonishing distance 
during the day’s run, it was always a strain upon 
the muscles sitting so long, and eternally dodg- 
ing obstacles that cropped up along the road. 

This hotel seemed to promise better accom- 
modations than any they had struck for some 
little time, and Budge was correspondingly 
happy. 

^Tirst of all let’s make sure the wheels are 
secured against trouble,” suggested Freckles; 
^^and then we can turn our attention to such 
small things as filling up with grub; and catering 
to that yearning for information that can only 
be satisfied by a visit to the ten cent show.” 

The supper was all that they anticipated, and 
more. A variety of dishes were placed before 
them; and finally, when Budge was asked to 
remove a cover from one that he was expected 
to serve, a shout went up from his chums. 


AN EXCITING INTRODUCTION 93 


“Old friends with new faces, Budge!'' ex- 
claimed Jack. 

“The ghosts of the past rise up to confront 
him!" said Alec. 

“Yes, Budge, remember what you did with 
his first cousin!" Freckles went on. 

“Why, it's sure a 'possum, fellows!" Budge 
managed to gasp, staring at the object on the 
platter, flanked by an array of sweet potatoes. 

“And a nice tender young one, too," remarked 
the landlord, who of course failed to understand 
what all the wild laughter meant. 

But Budge was game. 

“All right, you fellows," he remarked, stur- 
dily, “if you don't want any, just say so, and 
that means I'll have it all to myself. Yum! 
yum! tell me that don't smell sweet, though! 
Anybody feel like tasting it? Don't all speak 
at once now." 

But he found that, despite their merriment, 
his comrades were every one of them ready to 
make a second try at the famous Southern dish. 
And this time, as everything was favorable, 
they decided that it had made quite a hit with 
them. 

Afterwards they lounged around until the 
picture show was open, and then marched in 
with other curious people. The small theatre 
was crowded, and after all, the boys found con- 


94 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


siderable enjoyment in the films. At least it 
was a break in the monotony of their travels. 

sure hope we won^t be nearly frightened 
to death tonight with a fire or something like 
that!’’ remarked Budge, as they were on their 
way back to the hotel. 

^^All right,” Freckles said immediately, ^'then 
see to it that you lie on your side; for I’ve got 
my clothes-pin along, and I’ve taken a mighty 
vow to use it if necessary. You’ll land on the 
floor quicker than you did last night if you keep 
me awake; hear that, now?” 

Budge looked at the others and winked, for 
they were now inside the taproom of the hotel. 

^That’s an old trick of the trade, fellows, don’t 
you know?” he said, coolly. “When a thief 
runs away through the streets he shouts at the 
top of his voice, ^Stop, thief!’ and in that way 
diverts suspicion. Freckles knows the game all 
right; but he doesn’t deceive such wide-awake 
boys as you, not for a minute.” 

There was no alarm that night. Whether 
Freckles himself slept too soundly to be annoyed 
by any sounds that Budge may have made; or 
the latter, taking warning, managed to sleep 
on his side instead of his back, no one ever 
knew. 

Morning found them on deck, and eager to 
cover the remaining distance that separated 
them from Asheville. 


AN EXCITING INTRODUCTION 95 


“Wouldn^t be surprised to meet up with rain 
today,” said Jack, as they looked the motor- 
cycles over as customary before leaving port; a 
sufficient amount of gasoline having been pur- 
chased to fill each tank. 

^^Oh! I hope you are a bad prophet. Jack!” 
observed Alec. 

^^Yes,” Budge put in; “we ought to have a 
chance to make Asheville first. Don^t mind how 
long we have to be marooned there. Plenty to 
do to keep dull care away.” 

They got off with a good start, feeling fresh, 
and ready for the last stage of the journey to 
the famous North Carolina health resort among 
the mountains. 

As time went on it was seen that Jack was a 
poor weather prophet; for the clouds passed 
away, and the sun shone as brilliantly as it ever 
could do in this wonderful Land of the Sky, 
where the atmosphere is so pure and full of 
tonic, that sick people from all over go there 
to draw in new life. 

The roads were much better too, and as they 
had made a somewhat early start it was hardly 
noon when they found themselves approaching 
Asheville itself. 

The trip had been thus far a success. They 
had covered a good many hundreds of miles since 
leaving home, without a single serious accident, 


96 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


even to Badge, the poorest rider of the lot. 
From now on until they chose to set out on the 
return, following a different route, they might 
take things easy. 

''Dear me!” sighed Budge, as they entered 
upon the streets of the mountain city; "seems 
to me things are getting awful humdrum like. 
Here all last night and today not a single thing 
has happened to stir a fellow^s stagnant blood. 
I don’t know what’s going to become of me if 
this thing keeps up. I’ll pine away, or go to 
sleep for a week!” 

"Poor chap!” said Freckles; "what can we do 
for his ailment? He wants excitement now as a 
steady diet. Thank goodness! they have the 
picture fever here, and we can feed him on that. 
Or, perhaps, when they know Budge has come 
to town, they might be accommodating enough 
to get things moving. There, listen to that, 
hardly have we arrived before we hear a shriek, 
and the lovely heroine is calling out to Budge 
to come and save her from the villains.” 

Freckles was of course joking when he said 
this; for although they did hear loud voices, to- 
gether with a scream or two, the houses beyond 
prevented them from seeing what it was all 
about. 

"Say, perhaps there is something going on 
around there!” remarked Jack, as he cocked up 


AN EXCITING INTRODUCTION 97 


his head to listen; for shouts of “Whoa! whoa!^’ 
and “Stop him, somebody! the girril be killed! 
Head him off!’’ came to his ears. 

^Tt’s a runaway, that’s what!” burst out 
Budge. 

“Then get ready to play your part. Budge,” 
said Freckles. “Jump for the bridle, you know, 
and hold on like a good fellow. When he feels 
your heft he’ll stop, all right, if he knows what’s 
good for him. Look! there he comes around that 
corner, under full steam. Oh! thunder, there is 
a girl in that rig, sure as you live!” 


98 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


CHAPTER X 

A LUCKY MEETING 

‘^Head him 

^^Somebody stop him, quick 

^Wave your arms, and yell like thunder!^’ 

All sorts of foolish advice was being shouted by 
the crowd that surged after the runaway; but 
nobody appeared to know just what ought to be 
done. The horse was a powerful looking beast, 
and had apparently been frightened by some 
simple little thing; then came the wild shouts 
that simply made the animal go frantic. 

A small girl was seated in the rig. She had 
hold of the lines, and was doing her best to saw 
at the mouth of the horse; but her strength 
availed little against his fear. She was as white 
as a sheet, too, nor could any one blame her for 
feeling that way. It was a situation that would 
have sorely tried the courage of a big man, let 
alone a chit of a girl. 

Jack saw Alec jump from his wheel, lowering 
it hastily to the street. Luckily at the time they 
were moving along one side of the thoroughfare, 
rather than keeping to the center. 


A LUCKY MEETING 


99 


He immediately followed suit, under the im- 
pression that possibly his chum might have need 
of assistance in the bold act he contemplated. 

Of the four friends Alec was of course peculiarly 
fitted for the job of stopping a runaway horse. 
He had learned many things during that eventful 
year on a western cattle ranch; and was as much 
at home in the saddle as any cowboy could be. 

Besides, Alec was built for a runner; possibly 
not as much of a sprinter as the tall and angular 
Freckles; but a stayer in a race, and a splendid 
finisher. 

There was only one way in which the horse 
could now be stopped. His fright had so com- 
pletely taken possession of him that any at- 
tempt to suddenly turn him aside would result 
in an overturned vehicle, and possibly death to 
the girl. 

Alec started running, not toward the horse, 
but in the same direction as the crazed animal 
was going. Of course he could hardly expect 
to keep his distance ahead of the beast, nor was 
that his intention. The horse began to overtake 
him, Alec holding in something of his best ef- 
forts for the crisis. 

When the proper instant came he made his 
jump. 

^‘Oh! look! look! Alec has grabbed him by the 
bridle!” cried Budge, quivering all over with 
nervous tension. 


100 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


^^And don^t he just hold on like fun though?"' 
exclaimed Freckles. “What d'ye know about 
that, now? See him pulling the silly beast 
down! Talk to me about the Old Man of the 
Sea hanging on Sindbad's shoulders, he couldn't 
hold a candle to our pard for sticking. There, 
he's got him stopped! And the girl's jumped out 
of the rig too. Look at her hugging Alec, would 
you? Oh! my. Budge, what a grand oppor- 
tunity you lost that time." 

The boys pushed their motorcycles along. Jack 
taking that of Alec in charge, until they came 
to where the crowd was clustered. Fifty people 
were talking at once. Some congratulated the 
hero of the occasion. Other brave men ex- 
plained just how they had intended doing that 
same little trick, but unfortunately could not 
get in ahead of the runaway. 

Alec did not seem to be hurt; at least he was 
smiling, and trying to hand over the horse to 
some men, so that he might break away. 

This he succeeded in doing; and having taken 
his wheel from Jack, was about to head toward 
the hotel at which they expected to stop, when 
the girl who had been in the vehicle came hasten- 
ing back, leading a gentleman, evidently her 
father, judging from the alarmed expression of 
his face. 

“Here he is, father," she cried, pointing to the 


A LUCKY MEETING 


101 


embarrassed Alec. ^^He ran and caught Billy 
by the bridle, and just hung on till he conquered 
him. I tried to thank him, but I just couldn’t 
hardly say a word, I was so frightened.” 

“Wait a minute; please, my boy,” said the 
gentleman, his voice quivering with emotion. 
“You wouldn’t deprive me of the pleasure of 
shaking hands with you, I hope, and adding my 
thanks to those of my only child? My lad, if 
you have a mother or a father, they have cause 
to be proud of such a son. You must come home 
with us, and at least take dinner with the little 
girl you saved from possible death.” 

Budge gave Freckles a nudge at that. 

“Hear! hear!” he whispered in the ear of his 
tall mate. 

Alec had turned very red under all this praise; 
for the crowd still surrounded them, and scores 
of eyes were fixed upon him. 

“Oh! you are giving me too much credit, sir, 
I’m sure,” he expostulated, “you see, I spent 
some time on a cattle ranch, and it was the eas- 
iest thing in the world to stop Billy. He seemed 
to understand when I spoke to him, and just 
held on. My weight did the rest.” 

“But please do not refuse to come home with 
us. . I must see something more of you. Bring 
your friends along with you. We shall be only 
too glad to have you all with us. And the girl’s 


i02 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


mother would never forgive me if she wasn^t al- 
lowed a chance to meet you. My name is Em- 
bree, Judge Madison Embree, and we live in the 
house with a cupola that you can see over yon- 
der. 

^^Oh! how strange!” exclaimed Alec, turning 
toward Jack, and with a look of wonder stamped 
on his face. 

“In what way, my boy?” asked the gentle- 
man. “Have you heard the name before?” 

“Why, sir, I have come down here on purpose 
to meet you. I am Alec Travers!” said the boy, 
eagerly. 

“What! a son of my old friend, Travers, whose 
death shocked us all? Of course I expected to 
see you some day, for it would be necessary in 
connection with those important land deals I was 
in correspondence with your guardian about. 
But just to think of the strange way youVe in- 
troduced yourself — ^by saving my only child from 
a terrible death! Give me your hand again, 
Alec; and God bless you!” 

“And well be only too glad to go home with 
you, Judge Embree,” the boy went on. “Be- 
cause the sooner these matters are closed up, the 
better. I have another mission down here, and 
perhaps you can help me in that too.” 

“You can count on me to any extent, Alec,” 
replied the judge, earnestly. “But I must tell 


A LUCKY MEETING 


103 


you in the beginning that we are comparatively 
new people here, having come just three winters 
ago, for my wife's health. Your father used to 
be down here even before you were born; in fact, 
he made an annual pilgrimage to North Caro- 
lina every fall after quail; for he was an ardent 
sportsman, as of course you know." 

The three boys fell in after them as they walked 
toward the house with the cupola; and the girl 
explained to her father just what started the run- 
away. She had been introduced to Alec as 
Gypsy, so that he did not know her real name. 

Of course Freckles found plenty of oppor- 
tunities to poke fun at poor Budge because he 
had lost an opening for a grand heroic deed that 
would have written his name on the pages of 
history. On his part Budge did not seem to be 
lamenting the fact very much; to tell the actual 
truth, he was much more concerned in trying to 
guess what they were likely to have for dinner; 
and secretly expressed the hope, for the sake of 
his chums, that it might not be that delightful 
Southern dish, ^''possum and sweets." 

“Not that I wouldn't enjoy meeting our old 
friend again, fellows, believe me," he declared, 
solemnly; “but I seem to know that the dish is 
rather palling on your jaded appetites, and for 
the sake of variety, if nothing else, let's hope it'll 
be something different — roast beef or lamb for a 
change." 


104 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


It was always a difficult task to lift Budgets 
thoughts above the level of the ordinary things 
of life; comfort, and the gratification of his 
healthy appetite cut a great figure with him. 

They left the motorcycles temporarily in the 
barn, where the man promised to keep an eye 
out for them. Being introduced to a fine bath- 
room the boys certainly enjoyed a clean wash- 
up. As usual they joked about their recent ex- 
periences, comparing this last haven, for in- 
stance, with the one they had found the night 
of the storm, when that abandoned old cabin 
seemed a very hotbed of strange happenings for 
them. 

They found the judge’s wife and Gypsy’s 
mother a very charming lady. She looked in 
poor health; but declared that she was building 
up constantly in that bracing climate. 

And once more Alec had to listen to thanks, 
even Gypsy joining in, now that she seemed to 
have found her voice again. It added to the 
pleasure of the couple to know that the one to 
whom they felt they owed such a heavy debt 
was no stranger after all, but the son of a dear old 
friend. 

Afterwards they sat outdoors during most of 
the afternoon, chatting on scores of subjects. 
The boys were coaxed to tell much of the past, 
and especially concerning the various events 


A LUCKY MEETING 


105 


that had happened to them as a club organiza- 
tion. 

Alec learned quite a few things about his 
father that he had really never known before; 
and they were of a nature to make him feel more 
proud than ever because he was a Travers. 
Judge Embree even admitted that only for the 
help and encouragement of Mr. Travers, who had 
been much older than himself, he might have 
given up all hopes of succeeding in the law. 

But when Alec asked him plainly if he knew 
of a gentleman by the name of Theodore War- 
rendale, with whom his father might have had 
some sort of dealings in the past, and who was 
to be found somewhere in the Smoky Mountains 
west of Asheville, the judge after thinking seri- 
ously declared he had never even heard the 
name. 

The boys considered this strange, since he 
must know most people of any consequence 
within a radius of many miles. 

^Tf you contemplate going into the Smoky 
Mountains, Alec,’’ the judge continued, looking 
thoughtful, and a bit uneasy, ^^you must be very 
careful; because you know they are said to be 
the haunt of the most desperate and lav/less 
moonshiners in all Tennessee and Carolina. 
Revenue officers seldom venture there save in 
force. A stranger is apt to be treated to a sud- 


106 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


den shot; and he may consider himself lucky if 
he only loses an ear or a finger before clearing 
out. I wouldn’t go unless it is absolutely nec- 
essary.” 

Freckles felt Budge shaking like a leaf as he 
heard this; but all the same he knew that if the 
rest went the boy with the stubborn mind would 
refuse to be left behind. 


THE MOONSHINER SENTINEL 107 


CHAPTER XI 

THE MOONSHINER SENTINEL 

Judge Embree would not hear of their going 
to one of the hotels. He had plenty of room in 
his house, he declared, and would be delighted 
to have the motor boys stop with him just as 
long as they could remain over. 

As Alec really had business of importance to 
transact with the judge, and Miss Gypsy added 
her entreaties, he left it with the rest. Of course 
the question was soon settled. After that first 
dinner Budge simply declined to budge; and 
privately confided to Freckles that he would not 
care if the couple of days Alec spoke about, ex- 
tended to a week or two. 

They certainly enjoyed the time, every minute 
of it. The judge had a big heart, and nothing 
could be too good for these fine, manly young 
fellows; especially after the great service one of 
their number had done him; and he the son of the 
man whose helping hand had assisted the lawyer 
reach his present high position. 

The two days went all too soon for Budge; and 
when Alec finally announced that his legal busi- 


108 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


ness had been completed, so that nothing now re- 
mained in the way of their continuing the trip 
as planned, the face of the other went down fifty 
degrees. 

^^But then. Budge,’’ said Alec, quickly, ^^you 
don’t have to go along if you’d rather stay here. 
Gypsy has agreed to look after you; and we 
promise faithfully to drop in to pick you up be- 
fore we start north again. Make up your mind 
— is it to be ease and comfort here; or all sorts 
of unknown troubles with us?” 

Budge looked first at the laughing young girl ; 
then his blue eyes ranged along the line of his 
three mates. He seemed to be deciding a 
weighty matter in that slow brain of his, after 
his customary ponderous way. 

Never had those three faces appealed more to 
him than right now. He remembered the glo- 
rious times they four had had in common in the 
past. Even the badgering of Freckles assumed 
a different aspect when mellowed by time and 
distance. Could he let them go off into possible 
danger, while he loafed around at his ease? 
Perish the thought! 

^^Don’t mention it again, boys,” he said, pos- 
itively. 

^Then you stay?” asked Freckles, with a trace 
of disappointment in his voice; for whatever 
would he do with Budge missing? 


THE MOONSHINER SENTINEL 109 


go wherever you go! What d^e take me 
for, a renegade, to turn on my chums? I may 
have my faults, and plenty of ^em; but they don^t 
run in that line. Count on me to the bitter end 
and as he spoke Budge thrust one hand in the 
bosom of his coat and assumed a dramatic at- 
titude that made him look quite heroic. 

“Bravo! Good! Fine! Bully for you. Budge; 
you^re the candy 1^’ came in a volley from the 
three listeners; and Freckles smiled again. 

Even Gypsy Embree clapped her little hands 
in admiration. Budge may have amused her 
after a fashion by his peculiar ways; but she was 
now beginning to see that underneath it all he 
was true blue, and would never go back on his 
friends. 

And so it came about that one fine morning 
the motorcycles were brought forth from the 
barn to where they could be thoroughly over- 
hauled; and for an hour or so the quartette of 
riders busied themselves. 

Budge bustled around as though he were tak- 
ing an active part in the work; but truth to tell 
his ignorance in connection with all sorts of 
machinery was absolutely complete, so that 
Jack preferred not to have him “monkey^’ with 
anything. So Budge could play the errand boy, 
and assist where a second hand was needed. 

They had consented to stay to dinner, and 


no 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


then make a start. The Big Smokies could be 
seen in the distance, and it would take them a 
very short time to get there; though just how 
Alec was to find the gentleman for whom he was 
to look puzzled even the judge. 

Evidently they must trust somewhat to luck. 
Perhaps, once in the region, they might be able 
to pick up a clue somehow; and once that had 
been done success was only a matter of time. 

About two o’clock then Alec gave the signal 
for the start. They had all shaken hands with 
the judge, his good wife, and Gypsy. More- 
over, the promise had been given to the effect 
that on their homeward course they would pos- 
itively drop in again on the Embrees. To make 
this a certainty the artful Gypsy had persuaded 
her father, the judge, to postpone the finishing 
touches on some of those legal documents he was 
preparing for Alec; so that the latter would be 
compelled to return to sign the same before wit- 
nesses. 

^^Remember, you have promised to be very 
careful, all of you, and not get in any more 
trouble than you can help!” warned the little 
miss, shaking her finger particularly at poor 
Budge; who reddened, perhaps with a sense of 
guilt, since he realized that his mistakes so often 
brought him into difficulties. 

Then Alec led off, and in another minute the 


THE MOONSHINER SENTINEL 111 


string of popping motorcycles went spinning 
down the street, making merry music. A few 
boys who had gathered to see the start set up a 
cheer; a dog barked furiously, and ran after the 
whirling wheels; and Alec, looking back, an- 
swered the waving kerchief of Gypsy; since some- 
how he seemed to know it was especially for him. 

As long as the road remained good they kept 
up this spanking pace; but soon the leader found 
that the same old difficulties had begun to crop 
up. He called out a warning, and reduced his 
pace; so that presently they were almost crawl- 
ing along — that is, it would seem so in view^ of 
the pace the motorcycles were capable of putting 
up under different conditions. 

Up and down hill they pursued their way, all 
the while gradually drawing nearer to the ridge 
which had such a sinister reputation as the abid- 
ing place of those bold and reckless spirits who 
persisted in making moonshine whisky, despite 
the raids of the revenue officers. 

Crossing a valley they finally found themselves 
about to enter among the uplifts that had so 
long been beckoning to them. Cabins had not 
been plentiful for the last three miles or so. And 
whenever they chanced to meet a gaunt looking 
native, he stood and stared in speechless amaze- 
ment at the sight of four motorcycles in a line, 
heading straight toward the ridge of mystery. 


112 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


Alec had his own ideas about these things. 
He believed that some of these men who dwelt 
on the outskirts of the mountains must certainly 
be in league with the moonshiners, and possibly 
acted as agents, through whom the illegal liquor 
was disposed of. 

If this were so, then they would doubtless 
view this astonishing advance on the part of the 
boys with the gravest suspicion. In their minds 
it could stand for only one thing, and that an 
organized raid. 

This was why Alec always turned in his sad- 
dle after passing one of these tall, raw-boned 
North Carolina ^^crackers,’^ to watch and see 
what his actions might be. 

And on the third occasion he was not much 
surprised to see the man start on a full run for 
his cabin near by, as though spurred by a sense 
of duty. 

^That feUow is going to send up some kind of 
a signal, boys!’’ Alec called over his shoulder; 
for the others were close by in a clump; and for 
a wonder Budgets machine had the muffler in 
use, thanks to Freckles^ complaints that he 
wanted to do a little high thinking. 

^'Signal burst forth Budge. ^'Goodness! do 
the hotels up here have runners out, to let them 
know guests are coming? And will they feed 
us on 'possum, do you think, Alec?" 


THE MOONSHINER SENTINEL 113 


Budge said this so innocently that the rest 
broke out into a shout. 

‘^Hear him, will you?^^ cried Freckles, as soon 
as he could command his voice. ^^He thinks 
this place is another Asheville, and a fashionable 
resort. The hotels we^ll be apt to strike after 
now, Budge, will be mud-chinked cabins; and 
the grub consist of corn bread, and perhaps a 
slice of bacon.’’ 

^^But what would he signal for, then?” con- 
tinued the other, determined to know, 

^^Shucks!” exclaimed Freckles; ^^have you for- 
gotten what the judge told us about the people 
over here in the Big Smokies — how lots and lots 
of ’em make moonshine stuff; and are always 
looking out for a raid from the revenue officers.” 

^^Gee! and will they take me for a bold rev- 
enue agent?” gasped Budge, who was having 
the time of his life trying to dodge the stones 
with which the road was beset, and at the same 
time avoid a collision with one of his mates’ 
wheels. 

^^Sure, they’ll think you must be the Grand 
Mogul of the whole bunch,” replied his tormen- 
tor quickly. ''And these sharp-eyed chaps can 
cop a distinguished air the first thing. You see 
that’s the penalty you have to pay for bearing 
the trademark of importance about you. If 
you were more humble looking, like me, for in- 


114 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


stance, you^d avoid being a shining light for a 
volley!” 

^^Drop that, Freckles,” said Jack. ^^What^s 
the use fooling him? We may run up against 
enough trouble without imagining any.” 

^^But Alec said that cracker would signal,” 
Budge resumed; ^^and, bless me, if I can see 
any telegraph wire around here.” 

^^Huh! mebbe he doesn’t need any,” grunted 
Freckles. 

“Oh! then he will wigwag, like the Boy Scouts 
have learned to do; or perhaps use a looking- 
glass, to flash the sunlight, and heliograph,” 
Budge remarked, in a satisfied tone. 

“Well, I hardly think these moonshiners are 
up to that sort of stuff,” said the one in the lead. 
“You know out in Africa the natives use a drum 
to send news, and they say the sound passes 
along over hundreds of miles in a mighty short 
time. These mountaineers have a way of their 
own; and Budge, Jack, Freckles, all of you drop 
off your wheels right here; for I want you to see 
what I mean.” 

They had hardly done this than Budge, on 
turning his head eagerly, gave vent to a loud 
cry of astonishment. 

“Why,” said he, “smoke is going up in several 
places, black pinewood smoke!” 


THE MOONSHINER SENTINEL 115 


^^Count the columns,” observed Alec, grimly, 
^'and you will find that they are four — just the 
same number as our little bunch!” 


116 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


CHAPTER XII 

THE HUMBLE CABIN OF GABE 

Jack and Alec exchanged glances. 

“I donT just like the looks of that/^ remarked 
the former. 

“Perhaps we made a mistake in coming on 
our motorcycles/’ Alec returned. “From the 
way that old fellow gaped, I imagine he believes 
they must be some new Gatling gun that the 
Government forces mean to set going against 
his friends up in the mountains. We might have 
tried quieter means to get in touch with our 
man.” 

“Shall we turn back now?” asked Jack. 

‘^Rats!” exclaimed Freckles. “A nice lot we’d 
look hke, turning tail at the sight of smoke. 
Perhaps that don’t stand for anything after all. 
I’m for going on.” 

“Sure we must,” echoed Budge, showing a 
surprising amount of bravery. “Think I’d 
stand the laugh in them bright eyes, if we only 
charged up the hill, and down again. Let’s 
continue our journey; though honest now, I wish 
Freckles hadn’t said so much about corn pone 
and bacon; the only two things that I don’t like.” 


THE HUMBLE CABIN OF GABE 117 


^^Oh! in that case just save up your fine appe- 
tite until we strike the Hotel Embree again/’ 
laughed Freckles. 

^Well, when our chums are so decided on go- 
ing, I guess it wouldn’t look nice for the balance 
of the crowd to show the white feather,” ob- 
served Alec. 

^^Then it’s forward we go?” asked Freckles. 

^^Yes, we might as well mount again,” the 
leader remarked, suiting the action to the word. 

As he and Jack managed to keep fairly well 
together they found plenty of opportunities for 
exchanging confidences. When it came down 
to a pinch Alec always relied more on Jack than 
either of the others. Freckles was brilliant at 
times; but generally far from reliant; while 
Budge found it slow work to get ideas through 
his brain, so he was of very little use when emer- 
gencies arose that required rapid thinking. 

“What’s the program?” asked Jack. 

“With all my cudgeling of my brains I’ve been 
hardly able to lay out anything half way decent,” 
the other replied. “Seems to me the only thing 
we can do is to speak to every one we meet, and 
ask if they happen to know Mr. Theodore War- 
rendale. In that way we may run across a clue. 
Seems to me that if he is a man of any impor- 
tance in these districts, either as a moonshiner 
or a merchant, somebody must be able to direct 
us to his home.” 


118 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


“That sounds reasonable, anyhow, Alec. And 
of course we can always tell just what weTe 
down here for. The news will spread, you know; 
and perhaps, after all, these fellows will come to 
look on us as harmless joy-riders.” 

“I’m sure I hope -so,” replied the other, ear- 
nestly. 

“Why, yes, it would be rather nasty to be 
fired at from the bushes up on the mountainside, 
just as if we were wanted in their game bags. 
But Alec, honest now, you don’t believe they’d 
take us for revenue agents? They can see with 
one eye that we’re just boys, out on a frolic.” 

“That’s plain enough,” replied the leader. 
“But you understand these men have been hunt- 
ed so long that they’re always suspicious of every 
stranger. The judge says he wouldn’t dare 
venture into these mountains alone. Before he’d 
gone half a mile the chances are he’d hear a bul- 
let zip past his head, and a voice commanding 
him to turn around, and clear out. They take 
no chances.” 

“But the fact that we are only boys — ” went 
on Jack. 

“Well, perhaps those smart agents of the Gov- 
ernment have played all sorts of sly tricks on 
these men in the past,” Alec explained, voicing 
the secret fear that had come to him; “and they 
may suspect that we’re being put forward as a 


THE HUMBLE CABIN OF GABE 119 


sort of ^stall/ to pick up information for the 
revenues.’’ 

^^And I haven’t forgotten what the judge told 
us about the fate of informers, who have tried 
to betray these mountaineers,” Jack said, with 
a shrug of his shoulders. ^^Under the circum- 
stances we can’t get busy any too soon, spread- 
ing the news that we only want to find Mr. 
Warrendale; and have no idea of prying into any 
of the secret still business of the natives.” 

^ ^Here’s our first chance, then,” remarked 
Alec, as in turning a bend of the winding road, 
now hardly more than a broad trail, they sighted 
the usual low log cabin, its chinks filled in with 
hard mud, and possessing a chimney made of 
flat stones, that was built up against the rear 
wall. 

Several barefooted and dirty-faced children 
were playing in front of the door, where a batch 
of pigs wallowed, and some half-starved chickens 
scratched. 

The sound of the approaching motorcycles 
had already reached the ears of the ragged and 
unkempt youngsters, for they were standing in 
attitudes that expressed both wonder and alarm. 

Immediately a panic seized upon every living 
thing as the boys bore down on the cabin. The 
chickens flew for shelter, squawking loudly; the 
pigs whiffed, took one startled look at the 


120 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


frightful engines that were bearing down upon 
them, and then ^^scooted,^' as Budge expressed 
it, for the fence corner; while the three children 
fled shrieking into the cabin. 

Immediately a tall, slatternly looking woman 
made her appearance, gripping in her hands 
one of those long-barreled guns so seldom seen 
nowadays. And from her determined looks 
Alec felt sure that she not only knew how to use 
the weapon, but was quite ready to do so if 
necessary. 

He threw up his hands in token of amity, and 
jumped from his wheel, the others copying his 
example. At first it looked as though the woman 
might be tempted to shoot, for she haK raised 
the gun to her shoulder. Then, as she possibly 
saw that they were all boys, and perhaps some- 
what dazed by the sight of the four splendid 
motorcycles, she lowered it again. 

^^Good afternoon, ma’am,^’ said Alec, as he 
laid his wheel against the rail fence, and slowly 
approached the door of the lonely cabin. ^^Do 
you happen to know a party by the name of 
Theodore Warrendale anywhere about here? 
IVe got an important paper to hand over to 
him; and if you could only tell me where he lives 
I^d like to pay you for the information.^’ 

^What kinder paper — summons?” the woman 
jerked out, with a scowl; possibly that was the 


THE HUMBLE CABIN OF GABE 121 


only sort of document with which she was fa- 
miliar. 

^^Oh! no, not at all,’’ said Alec, smiling in a 
friendly way. ^Tt is a document of some kind, 
probably of value to Mr. Warrendale, that my 
father, who is dead, wished given to him, and by 
me particularly.” 

^^Huh!” grunted the woman, suspiciously 
eyeing the boy while she continued to fill the 
open doorway of the cabin with her spare 
frame, as though defying him to enter there, 
and make any sort of search for illegal goods. 
^Tuh be frum the No’th?” 

^^Yes, we have come many hundreds of miles 
on our motorcycles, partly for the fun of the 
trip, and also to carry out the wishes of my 
father. I had some business with Judge Embree 
in Asheville. He told us it would be dangerous 
coming into the Big Smokies; but I felt sure that 
when the people here knew we were only boys, 
and that all we wanted was to find Theodore 
Warrendale, they would not bother us.” 

She had started at mention of the judge’s 
name. Too late Alec realized that he had made 
a bad move in uttering it. To these moun- 
taineers a judge must always stand for the law, 
and that was what they were continually at war 
with. 

She shook her head, and the suspicious look 


122 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


returned to her eyes, which were small but 
piercing. 

^^Naw, don^t know anybudy like thet,” she 
said, coldly. “An^ bub, if yuh takes my Vice 
yell turn ’roun^ right peart, an^ get outen these 
hyah mountings as fast as yuh kin run. ’Taint 
safe foh strangers ’bout these diggin’s.” 

^ Thank you, ma’am,” Alec replied, although 
he felt a little queer because of what he knew 
must be back of her words. ^^But we mean no 
harm, and are not here in the nature of spies, or 
anything of the sort. If we could only run 
across the party we want to find, we’d be only 
too glad to go back to Asheville.” 

^What mout be yuh name, bub?” the woman 
asked, curiously. 

“Alec Travers,” he replied. 

“Huh! Travers, yuh sez? Pears tuh me I 
knowed a gent long time ago by thet name. 
An’ sho! p’r’aps now, yuh mout be his boy,” she 
declared, showing more interest. 

“I’m sure it must have been my father,” Alec 
cried, eagerly; “for he used to come down here 
every year to hunt. He invested in considerable 
property here later on; and it was in connection 
with that I had to see Judge Embree, who has 
had it in charge.” 

“Huh! an’ my ole man uster be his guide. 
Shore, he’ll be glad tuh hear it w’en he kums 


THE HUMBLE CABIN OF GABE 123 


hum. He’s out in ther mountings right now. 
But all ther same, bub, if 3aih knows wat’s good 
fur yuh, jest turn ’round, an’ cut outen this. 
No matter wat yer bizness might be, they ain’t 
gut no use foh strangers in ther Big Smokies.” 

She said this with a slight show of animation, 
as though taking a little interest in him because 
of the past. 

^^But it doesn’t seem to stand to reason that 
big, husky men would try to harm a party of 
boys,” remonstrated Alec. “They surely would- 
n’t shoot without first warning us; and if I can 
only get to talk with any of them, it’s all I ask.” 

“Times has be’n porely with weuns,” she went 
on, showing a flash of emotion; “an’ they’s ben 
lots o’ trubble afoot. Right now theys mad as 
hornets a-cause a leetle while back theh was a 
raid, an’ fouh men was snatched outen these 
hyah mountings. Theys waitin’ trial, an’ as 
they was took with the goods on, makin’ mash, 
it’s gwine tuh be a matter o’ ten yeahs foh Bob 
an’ Likins. I warns yuh, turn back afore it 
gits too late.” 

Of course the others could not but hear every 
word of this conversation. Budge was shaking 
so that he had to lean up against the tree near 
which he happened to be standing at the time. 
But no one was watching him; for they found 
plenty to occupy their attention in the scene 


124 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


that was taking place at the cabin door, where 
the slatternly woman stood, gun in hand, with 
the dirty-faced urchins peeping out from behind 
her skirts, and staring their hardest at the won- 
derful motorcycles. 

But Alec only shut his teeth together. He was 
not accustomed to being frightened off when bent 
on attending to his own business. Perhaps he 
and his three chums showed a spice of boyish 
recklessness in doing what they did; but they 
had never as yet run up against a North Caro- 
lina moonshiner, and consequently could not be- 
lieve one-quarter they had heard. 

^T’m sorry, ma’am,’’ he went on; “but it 
seems as if I ought to keep on a little further, 
trying to find this Mr. Theodore Warrendale, 
after coming so very far. I’d like to meet up 
with your man first-rate. If he used to be my 
father’s guide in the old days, I’d be glad to 
shake his hand. And perhaps he might let me 
do something to niake your life here a little hap- 
pier — just in memory of my father, you know.” 

The woman stared hard at him as though she 
found it difficult to understand just what he 
could mean. Then she drew a long sigh, and 
shook her head. 

“Yuh caint do anything fuh us, suh,” she said, 
sadly. “Weuns was bawn hyah, an’ we spects 
tuh die right nigh this. It’s alters ben ther same. 


THE HUMBLE CABIN OF GABE 125 


My ole man’s name is Gabe Torrey. Yuh may a 
heard o’ him in Asheville.” 

^^No, but I’m sure I’ve heard my father speak 
of him,” said Alec, eagerly. ^‘And when we 
come back this way I’m going to stop and see 
Gabe, if so be he happens to be at home.” 

She shook her head wearily. 

^^Yuh see, suh, Gabe, he don’t show up hyah 
in thuh daytime, ’cause theys a warrant out 
ag’in him, an’ a reward on his head. But shore 
I’ll teU him, if so be he kirns outen the moun- 
tings soon. He’d be right glad tuh meet yuh. 
But I’d shore like tuh hev yuh turn back. I’d 
hate tuh know anything ’d happened tuh yuh.” 

Alec took out some silver he happened to have 
loose, and said: 

^Tlease let me give a little present to each one 
of your children, Mrs. Torrey.” But she half 
raised the gun, and looked daggers at him, an- 
swering instantly: 

^^Don ’t yuh dare offer it, suh! Right now who 
knows but what theys hostile eyes on yuh; and 
if they seen me a-takin’ money, they’d burn this 
cabin over m^ head, a-thinkin’ I’d sold out tuh 
the revenues. Git along now. I’s sed enuff, I 
reckon.” 

^Well,” said Alec, resolutely; ^T’m deter- 
mined that before I go North again you and Gabe 
have Just got to accept a present from me, in my 


126 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


father^s name. 1^11 find some way of getting it 
to you without exciting the suspicions of your 
neighbors. Good-by then, Mrs. Torrey, and 
I’m awful glad I met you. Don’t forget to tell 
Gabe, and have him wait around for us when we 
come out.” 

on’y hopes as how yuh does kum out,” 
said the woman with the forlorn face; and some- 
how the words caused a cold chill to strike into 
the heart of Jack, usually the bravest of the lot. 

And then the motorcycle boys jumped on their 
machines and were off. 


THE MOUNTAINS 


127 


CHAPTER XIII 

THE MOUNTAINS WITH THE EVIL NAME 

“Wait up, Jack, there^s Budgets regular call 
for help!’’ said Alec, before they had passed over 
half a mile. 

Jack looked at him queerly, as he put on brakes 
and came to a stop, dropping off his motorcycle 
gracefully. 

“I’m some suspicious of Budge,” he remarked, 
drily, as they turned around and started to walk 
back over the short distance separating them 
from the stalled couple; for it would hardly pay 
to ride. 

“I think I get what you mean,” smiled Alec. 
“Budge must have heard all that was said by 
that woman. I couldn’t see his face, but I can 
imagine about how it looked.” 

“Yes, he was badly rattled, I give you my 
word,” Jack went on, hurriedly, for they were 
now approaching the one under discussion, who 
with Freckles at his side, bent down as though 
examining his machine, and apparently fretting 
dreadfully because of the delay. 

“Still he spoke up, and was for going right 
along,” commented Alec. 


128 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


^'That was to save his face, you know,’^ Jack 
observed. ^^Budge is naturally timid. He feels 
things that none of the rest of us do. And I 
warrant you he’s made a little mess of his car- 
bureter or something else right now, just to de- 
lay things, so we can talk it over again. Delay 
may bring about a change of our minds, you 
see.” 

^^Well, Budge is up to such tricks, I’m afraid,” 
Alec mused. ^^And yet perhaps it might be a 
good thing all around for us to talk matters over 
some. I’m sure I don’t want to drag my chums 
into anything, unwillingly. We will go over the 
ground again while you doctor up his machine.” 

^^But majority must rule,” said Jack, quickly. 
^^You know we offered to leave our comrade at 
the Embrees, and he declined flatly. He mustn’t 
be allowed to upset all our plans at this late 
hour. If he really wants to back down, being 
attacked with cold feet, he can get out, and wait 
for us in Asheville. Perhaps Freckles might 
want to go along too.” 

^^But you. Jack?” 

^T’m sticking closer than a mustard plaster,” 
smiled the other. ^^You can’t just get rid of me, 
try as hard as you please. Where you go, there 
I go; your danger must be my danger; and your 
reward shared with me.” 

Alec made no verbal reply; he simply could 


THE MOUNTAINS 


129 


not, on account of the choking feeling in his 
throat. But he stretched out a hand, and seiz- 
ing the digits of his chum, pressed them earnestly. 

Words were not needed at a time like that, 
when actions spoke louder than thunder tones. 

“What^s all this trouble about, Budge?^^ de- 
manded Jack, as he rested his ^^Rocket^^ against 
a tree, and joined the stooping pair. 

^^Oh!’’ said Freckles, speaking for his mate; 
^ ^something gone wrong with that blessed old 
grip control again. Budge is afraid of it, and 
says he don’t want to take a header into one of 
these blooming gullies we’re meeting up with. 
And I don’t seem able to get it to work.” 

^^Just my hard luck,” grunted Budge, discon- 
solately. ^^When things look like they wanted 
to go along smooth like, some new leak has got 
to spring loose on me. Why should I get the 
only defective machine in the crowd? Tough 
luck, fellows.” 

“Perhaps you’d better have changed your 
mind, and stayed in Asheville,” remarked Jack, 
quietly, as he got down to examine things. 

Budge turned a bit white, and then red. Pos- 
sibly he imagined Jack already suspected that he 
had done something on purpose to delay them. 

“Not much I would, even if I had to walk after 
you,’^ he said, fiercely. “That grip control is 
wabbly. Jack, and treacherous. Every time we 


130 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


come to a gully I just feel the old thing heading 
that way. I believe it’s got the temper of a 
^broncho, and just wants to dump me over.” 

Jack did not reply, though he smiled as he set 
to work. He knew that Budge had just as per- 
fect a machine in the start as any of them; and 
that much of his petty troubles had sprung from 
his everlasting bungling when he imagined some- 
thing could be improved. In this way he had 
loosened many bolts and nuts, and it was ex- 
tremely difficult to adjust them again as nicely 
as they had been in the beginning. 

As to the machine trying to drag him into 
trouble, that was easily explained. It was the 
strange fascination that seemed to draw Budge 
directly toward the very spot he should avoid; 
if it happened to be a stone in the road, while 
he meant to give it a wide berth, some horrible 
tendency seemed to make him head straight to- 
ward the obstacle, and possibly just graze it in 
passing. 

Jack knew that this tendency always existed 
with a timid rider. He had felt it himself far 
back, when first starting to master a wheel. So 
of course he took no stock in Budge’s complaint 
about the wicked nature of his bucking ^^Old 
Hurricane.” 

Five minutes later and Jack announced that 
he had mastered the little trouble. 


THE MOUNTAINS 


131 


^^Don^t meddle with it any more, Budge,’’ he 
said. ^The next time we stop over a night I’ll 
fix the thing so it just can’t give you any more 
trouble.” 

^^Huh! the only way to do that is to empty his 
tool bag,” chuckled Freckles, who, according to 
his way of remarking was ^^on to” his chum’s 
weakness. 

^^Well, I just can’t get a start when we’re 
going up-grade like this,” remarked Budge, 
calmly, as though he had just made that dis- 
covery. ^^So you see I’ll have to keep along on 
foot till we get to the top. You fellows go along, 
and wait up for me.” 

^^Oh! there’s no hurry,” said Jack. ^^We 
might just as well all walk up here, while we’re 
about it, and talk over matters at the same 
time.” 

Budge gave an audible sigh of relief; and Alec, 
who caught the sound, positively believed the 
fat boy had attained his desire. Whether he 
feared something might be hiding in the bushes 
along the hillside; or simply wanted to give his 
chums a chance to cool down, at any rate his 
end had been accomplished. 

As they walked they entered into a discussion 
of the case. No one seemed able to propose any 
better plan than the one they were following, 
though Alec begged them to be frank. 


132 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


Budge did offer a suggestion that perhaps they 
could leave the mysterious packet with some 
one to be given to Mr. Warrendale; but Alec 
promptly put a veto on any such procedure. 

“In the first place, Budge, he said, positively; 
“you forget that it was my father^s desire that 
I should see this party face to face, and stand 
by while he opened and read the contents of this 
packet; though for the life of me I can^t imagine 
why. So you see I am bound to keep up the 
hunt, even if the rest of you should desert me.^^ 

“We’d never do that, Alec, bet y6ur sweet 
life,” exclaimed Freckles, indignantly. 

“Don’t you believe it, Alec; we’ve just got to 
stick together through thick and thin,” Budge 
burst forth with. 

“Then again,” the other went on, as though 
determined to rub it in while about it, “please 
show me the party we could trust it with. Up 
to now we haven’t run across a blessed soul that 
ever heard the name of Theodore Warrendale; 
let alone knows him. Even the judge said he 
didn’t; and that woman who has lived around 
this section of the country all her life, couldn’t 
tell.” 

Budge nodded his head, and seemed to be 
taking a fresh grip on himseK; for they were now 
close to the top of that elevation; so that in an- 
other minute or so it would be necessary to make 


THE MOUNTAINS 


133 


a new start forward, plunging deeper into the 
unknown dangers that lurked in those lonesome 
valleys and hills. 

^^Sure, weVe just got to do it,^^ he said, as he 
allowed a look of grim determination to creep 
over his plump face. promise to do the 

very best I know how, boys; but if Old Hurricane 
bucks me into a hole, please promise to get my 
mortal remains out for decent burial, won’t 
you?” 

‘^Rats! just make up your mind you ain’t 
going to give way like that!” laughed Freckles. 

don’t like the way things look any better than 
you do. Seems to me I c’n glimpse a moonshiner 
holdin’ a long gun, and squattin’ behind every 
blessed bush on the side of the mountain, ready 
to pot us, but after we get closer I always find 
out that it’s only a shadow. Buck up, old fel- 
low; and now, we’re off!” 

They made the start without the least diffi- 
culty. On the level or with a decline before 
him, clumsy Budge could always get a flying 
start without any accident; but he invariably 
balked at a rise, and found some excuse for walk- 
ing it, if off his motorcycle at the time. 

No doubt what Freckles had confessed with 
regard to what his own thoughts and fears were, 
had more or less influence on poor Budge. Cer- 
tain it was that from that moment on he seemed 


134 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


to pay more attention to the wild aspect pre- 
sented by the bleak mountainside than to where 
he was going. 

While descending the grade on that wretched 
mountain road, he came near having an upset 
several times, because of his wabbling; but finally 
they reached the bottom, where a rude bridge 
with a frail handrail, carried the road across a 
stream. 

Jack and Alec had already thundered over 
the wooden planks of the bridge, and Freckles 
had fallen back; for he saw that Budge needed 
all the room possible under the circumstances, 
so as to avoid a collision. 

Budge had aimed badly when trying to avoid 
a stone that lay in the road just before he passed 
out upon the bridge. This brought him very 
close to the right side; and naturally he gave a 
quick movement of his hands in order to keep 
away from that railing. 

Freckles let out a shout of warning, and that 
seemed to complete the demoralization of the 
clumsy rider. The next thing they knew there 
was a crash as his heavy motorcycle struck the 
handrail. Budge was hurled forward, the very 
violence of his plunge serving to throw his ma- 
chine back to the roadway of the bridge; but 
the unlucky rider catapulted over the side, 
''for all the world like a jumping frog,'' as 
Freckles declared afterwards. 


MORE AND MORE TROUBLE 135 


CHAPTER XIV 

MORE AND MORE TROUBLE 

^^Alec! Jack! quick! he^s gone and done it!^^ 
whooped Freckles, himself almost taking a 
header, in his haste to come to a sudden halt. 

There was really no need to tell the advanced 
riders, for they had only gone some ten yards be- 
yond the bridge when that terrific smash reached 
their ears; and knowing Budge of old, they could 
instinctively guess what had happened. 

Immediately stopping, they gained their feet, 
and hardly taking time to lay the machines on 
the ground, both started wildly back, their faces 
white with horror. 

Freckles was already at the side of the bridge 
where the rail had given way, down on his hands 
and knees, and peering eagerly over the edge. 
The others, as they came leaping toward the 
spot, fully expected to hear him utter lamenta- 
tions, and see him wringing his hands in sore 
dismay. Judge of their delight when instead. 
Freckles broke out into a shout that seemed to 
be tinged with laughter. 

^^Hurrah! he’s all right. Budge is, and swim- 


136 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


ming to beat the band! Tell me he can’t keep 
himseK afloat, will you? Dropped into a nice 
deep pool too, as neat as you please. Keep it 
up. Budge; you’re all right — ^you’re a jim dandy 
sport! Oh! just look at him ^lash, would you? 
Hi! there, we’re coming down to pull you out! 
Keep going like a windmill, Budge, arms and 
legs moving all the time.” 

As soon as the others reached the edge of the 
bank they saw that what Freckles had so graph- 
ically described after his queer way was actually 
true. Budge was in the water, and making a 
terriflc splashing, as though he really believed 
himself in danger of being drowned. Fear will 
often cause a novice to actually swim, in spite 
of his ignorance of the first principles of the art 
— that is Nature taking care of her own. 

To scramble down the bank was the work of a 
moment. By that time Budge was standing up, 
and the water only came a little above his waist. 
Apparently then his swimming feat had been 
pretty much a matter of imagination; but he had 
gone through with the whole program, just as 
if it were absolutely necessary in order to save 
his life. 

He presently came walking out of the creek, 
looking like a ^^dripping mermaid” as Freckles 
declared; but ready to join in the laugh which the 
others could not help from setting up. 

Here was a new dilemma. Budge was soaked 


MORE AND MORE TROUBLE 137 


through to the skin; and while the air was not 
at all cool, still he ought to be dried out for the 
sake of his comfort, if nothing else. 

“We’ll stop over a bit right here, and make a 
fire where Budge can dry himself,” remarked 
Alec, decisively. “While we’re about it we can 
be on the lookout to see if anybody comes along 
the road; and hail them.” 

The fire part of the plan was easily managed, 
and in front of this Budge hung his dripping 
garments, while he himseK kept close to the 
blaze, turning around constantly when one side 
of his figure became uncomfortably warm. 

It took half an hour, and the work of the entire 
squad, to get him in decent condition again; 
during which period poor Budge was fairly bom- 
barded with good advice as to what his actions 
should be the next time he came to a bridge. 

“Anyhow, fellows, give me credit for one 
thing,” he said, as a bright thought struck him. 
“Perhaps you didn’t notice just how I kicked 
Old Hurricane in the ribs when he threw me. 
That was the only thing that kept him from 
chasing after me into the creek. Say, I’d have 
sure had the headache if he bumped down on 
top of me.” 

As none of them could say whether his action 
had been a mere accident, or a really bright 
flash of intuition, they made no comment on his 
remark. 


138 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


Of course Budge had to walk the next rise 
again; but it was only a short one; when they 
came to a gloomy looking defile, where the road 
ran between the outcropping hills, looming up 
on either side in a forbidding fashion. 

If matters had looked serious before, they cer- 
tainly took ,on an appalling aspect now, as the 
four boys started slowly into this glen, where 
the sunlight was barred all admittance. 

^Xook ahead, Alec,’^ said Jack, suddenly; 
^^there^s a cabin — two of ’em!’^ 

^^Let^s jump off here then, and ask a few ques- 
tions,” replied the other, quickly. 

“Do you see anybody around?” asked Jack. 

“To tell the truth I donT,” answered his chum; 
“but perhaps we can start up a woman or child. 
IsnT that a faint trace of some smoke rising from 
that chimney. Jack?” 

“Well now, it looks like it; yes, youTe right, 
Alec. I guess after all well have a little luck 
here.” 

But he was mistaken. 

They made a halt, and Alec, stepping up to 
the nearest open door, knocked, without re- 
ceiving any reply. Again he beat a summons 
on the door, while Jack, stepping over to the 
second cabin, followed his example. 

“Shucks! don’t seem as there’s anybody 
home!” grunted Freckles, evidently surprised 
at the stagnation that seemed to exist. 


MORE AND MORE TROUBLE 139 


in and see what you can find out, Jack!^^ 
called Alec, himseh suiting the action to his 
words. 

Three minutes later they both came out again, 
shaking their heads in the negative. 

^^Not a single soul around here,^^ remarked 
Jack. 

^^Ditto,” Alec went on; ^^but there's really a 
fire smouldering on the hearth. They must have 
been home within a few hours. 

^^Just what I found,’’ Jack echoed. ^^What 
d’ye suppose sent them off, children and all; for 
I found lots to tell me there were youngsters 
here?” 

His chum looked very serious. 

'T’m afraid there can be only one answer to 
that question,” he said. 

^^You mean the smoke signals?” Freckles de- 
manded. 

^^Just that. They warned the people here 
strangers were coming; and that meant danger 
to them. Why the women and children should 
hide I don’t just understand; but they must have 
reason to fear a raid of some kind. Perhaps 
they may have had a hand in resisting the rev- 
enue men the last time they were here; and are 
afraid that they may be arrested, and taken to 
the county seat as witnesses.” 

^'But this is a tough thing we’re up against. 


140 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


Alec,” Jack went on. ^Tf we just can't come 
face to face with any of the people in these Big 
Smoky Mountains, how d'ye suppose you're ever 
going to find out about Theodore?” 

^^One thing I'm going to do,” said the other, 
resolutely; ^'and that is write a few lines, and 
fasten them on the door of this cabin. I want 
the mountaineers to know that we are not their 
enemies — that we want to be friendly, and not 
pry into any of their secrets.” 

hope it will work,” said Jack, as he saw his 
chum start to write something; but from the 
tone of his voice it was evident that he did not 
share any sanguine ideas with Alec. 

^There, if any of them can read, they'll know 
from that we are not the dangerous lot they 
seem to think. I've made it just as simple as I 
could, you see, in the hope that they may under- 
stand, and turn in to help us.” 

The rest of the boys gathered to read what he 
had written, after Alec had fastened the envelope 
to the door. It was part of a letter that had 
come to him in his home town, and bore his ad- 
dress on the other side. 

He had printed the communication in plain 
capitals, knowing that these would be more 
readily read than anything else. This was what 
they read: 

^^We are four boys from the North. We have 


MORE AND MORE TROUBLE 141 


a valuable message for Theodore Warrendale. 
If you know him, get word to us, and we will 
pay you ten dollars. We want to be your friends 
and we have nothing to do with the revenue men. 

^^Alec Travers. 

^^Now sign your names after mine, every fel- 
low,” said Alec, holding out his pencil to Budge, 
who chanced to be nearest. 

After that had been done they once more 
mounted and proceeded onward. Instead of 
getting better the route seemed to grow even 
more gloomy. Budge kept glancing to the right 
and to the left as he guided his noisy machine 
along, dodging stones, and roots that cropped 
up in the trail, and having plenty of thrilling, 
narrow escapes from collisions with near-by 
trees. 

^^Oh! I’m sure I saw a man dodge behind that 
tree up yonder!” he suddenly exclaimed, to 
Freckles who was close behind him, in momen- 
tary fear of an upset; for if Budge went he was 
pretty sure to mingle in the calamity. 

^'Go on; don’t try to stop here, silly!” cried 
out the lanky one, in sudden alarm lest Budge 
would go sprawling across the path, wheel and all. 

^'But I tell you it was somebody; and he had a 
gun too, for I saw it!” Budge persisted in saying, 
with his usual stubborness. 

''All right,” answered the other, quickly. 


142 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


^Xots of people in this region have. That^s 
none of our business, so long as he lets us alone. 
Strike up a tune as we go along, fellows. They 
ainT apt to think a jolly lot of boys could mean 
any crooked business. Let ^s sing ^Dixie,’ just 
to show ^em we are true blue!^^ 

It wasnT a bad idea after all, as Jack thought 
when he heard the suggestion; for to tell the 
truth the more serious and concerned they looked 
the greater chances of the hidden mountaineers 
believing they were spies, sent out to discover 
their secret stills. 

But unfortunately the idea came to Freckles a 
little too late to have it tried. Before Jack or 
Alec could even venture any comment there 
was heard a sudden shot, coming from behind 
them, and in the very section where Budge had 
so persistently declared he had seen the flitting 
figure. 

^Tut on speed, and come along, everybody 
cried Alec. 

Budge and Freckles of course tried to obey the 
order; but the latter, as might have been ex- 
pected, blundered, so that he immediately ran 
into a tree; and Freckles was thrown as well. 


ALEC TAKES CHANCES 


143 


CHAPTER XV 

ALEC TAKES CHANCES 


Of course the old story was repeated when 
Budge brought Freckles to the ground. The 
latter was not hurt by his tumble, but immedi- 
ately set up a bawl for the others to hold up. 
And hearing this familiar sound, as well as the 
crash, Alec and Jack brought their machines to a 
quick halt. 

They started back to join their comrades, not 
at all easy in their minds. For as that shot had 
presumably been fired at them, it seemed possi- 
ble that one of the others might have been hit. 

Before they had covered half of the distance, 
however, they were greatly relieved to discover 
the two boys hastily dragging their heavy ma- 
chines in among some bushes that happened to 
grow rankly alongside the road. 

^^Get under cover, Alec, Jack!^^ called Freckles. 

Thinking that perhaps it might after all be 
the wisest thing to do, the runners jumped to one 
side, and continued their advance in a more cau- 
tious manner. In this way they came upon 
Budge and Freckles. 


144 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


These worthies were crouched down in the 
bushes, and apparently greatly excited, as was 
only to be expected after their stirring upset. 

^^Anybody hurt?’’ asked Alec, still a little 
anxious lest the bullet might have wounded one 
of his chums. 

^^Nothing but a bump on my head, where I 
butted into that old tree,” grumbled Budge, just 
as grieved as though it had been wholly the fault 
of the said tree in persisting to grow just where 
he wanted to drop off his wheel in a hurry. 

barked my shin when I went down,” grunt- 
ed Freckles, rubbing the lame ankle while speak- 
ing; ^^but I reckon she don’t count much. Might 
a-been a bad job though. Ketch me following 
so close on his heels after this. I’ve had my 
lesson at last, I tell you, fellows. Knuckle down 
a little bit more, Alec; the measly old moon- 
shiner might see you, and take another nasty 
pot-shot at you.” 

^^Then neither of you were hit by a bullet?” 
asked Jack. 

wasn’t; and I reckon Budge will say the 
same,” replied the tall lad, promptly. 

^^Did you hear a bullet sing past?” Alec pur- 
sued. 

^^Well, now,” Freckles drawled, wouldn’t 
like to say for sure I did; but seeing that this is 
new business to me p’r’aps I just don’t know the 
whine of lead when I do hear it.” 


ALEC TAKES CHANCES 


145 


''How about you, Budge?'' continued the 
other. 

"Nixey, nothing doing," he answered, prompt- 
ly. "That crack of a gun gave me such a spell 
of shakes that I wouldn't have known it if a 
bushel of bullets spun past, so long as none of 'em 
banged into me." 

"Well, I had an idea that way," Alec went on. 
"You see, it just happened that I was turning 
to look back at the very second that gun sounded. 
I saw the smoke puff out too, up on the moun- 
tainside. Then a queer thing happened. A 
figure came reeling into view, and I saw the fel- 
low drop his gun like a hot cake. After that I 
lost sight of him; and shouted to you to come on." 

"But look here, Alec," said Jack, who was 
quicker than either of the others to grasp what 
their leader hinted at; "d'ye mean to say you 
don't think the shot was fired at us at all?" 

"Have we anything to prove it?" demanded 
Alec. "Nobody was hit; and neither of these 
boys can say positively he heard the bullet hum 
past. Show me a hole in the ground, or in a 
tree, to mark where the bullet went! You can't 
do it. And somehow, fellows, there was that in 
the action of the man I saw, to make me believe 
he may have had an accident!" 

"Glory! shot himself, you mean, Alec?" burst 


146 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


out Budge, who possessed a very sympathetic 
heart. 

^That^s just what has struck me; though it 
may prove a humbug,’’ Alec answered, sturdily. 

“Say, then we ought to go back there, and see 
if we can help the poor critter,” declared Budge. 

“Not the lot of us,” Alec instantly remarked, 
with that vein of authority in his voice that Budge 
knew only too well. “I’m going to look into it 
myself; and meanwhile do the rest of you get 
these machines further along to where Jack and 
I left ours. Wait there for me.” 

Jack gave him an appealing look; he wanted 
to accompany his chum; but Alec was of the 
opinion that one could do better than a couple, 
and hence he shook his head in the negative 
whereupon Jack’s face took on an expression of 
disappointment. 

“I hope neither of the cycles are broken by 
the tumble,” remarked Alec, as the owners 
started to pick them up. 

“Nothing serious, I reckon,” said Freckles 
cheerfully, as he moved his wheel a few feet. 
“But a few more of the same sort, and there 
won’t be much left of my poor old Cannonball 
Limited. But though she limps a bit, like the 
boss, I guess she’s all there yet in the running.” 

“Mine seems to work,” Budge went on; 
“though I bet something’s loose again — that 


ALEC TAKES CHANCES 


147 


grip control, perhaps; or the carbureter out of 
business; perhaps the rotten old magnetons gone 
back on me. Jack will fix me up, though; Jack 
is the boy who knows how to doctor a sick motor.’’ 

^Well, he can be looking it over, while I’m 
away. Just stop in the bushes where we left our 
wheels. I’ll get back as soon as I can.” 

As he spoke Alec left them. He did not step 
boldly out in the road, but on the contrary seem- 
ed desirous of keeping concealed as much as pos- 
sible; for he dodged back among the trees. 

Here was a chance for the boy to show that he 
had not forgotten all he had learned when out 
West on that cattle ranch with the cowboys. 
They had taught him a multitude of things dur- 
ing that time, for Alec was a willing student in all 
that had any connection with life in the open. 

Among other things he knew how to slip along 
from tree to tree without exposing himself to any 
extent to the observation of a possible enemy. 
And this knowledge he put into good play as he 
gradually advanced toward the spot where he had 
seen the puff of smoke burst forth; and had a 
glimpse of that strange thing in connection with 


a staggering figure. 

By degrees he worked up from the road until 
he was above the point which he had under ob- 
servation. Now and then he would halt for a 
minute, as he carefully looked to see if there was 


148 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


anything moving. But failing ta discover such 
he would once more creep along. 

There were times when the going was not so 
easy, for the side of the mountain proved to be 
steep and rocky, with treacherous slides, unless 
one uses great care in placing his feet. 

Once he started a stone rolling down, and to his 
excited fancy it made a tremendous amount of 
noise; though likely enough his fears exaggerated 
the same. After that he crouched low for almost 
two minutes, wondering whether the racket 
would cause the unknown to expose himself. 

When, however, nothing happened, and he saw 
no moving object save a crow that passed cawing 
overhead, Alec again started to advance. 

He was now very close to the spot, as he re- 
membered it. Yes, surely that clump must be 
the bushes behind which the fleeting figure had 
disappeared at the time he looked back, and just 
after the shot was fired. 

Just then Alec pricked up his ears to listen 
again. He believed that he had heard a strange 
sound that was not unlike a groan. 

Could his suspicion then, be true, and had the 
unknown injured himself in some way? That 
surely was a voice muttering low words, and in- 
terspersed with groans, as though the unseen 
party might be in pain. 

Still, it might be a trap! Alec did not forget 


ALEC TAKES CHANCES 


149 


that these mountaineers were as a rule a crafty 
set, and ready to play tricks on the unwary. 

So restraining his impatience he continued to 
softly creep along, drawing close to the clump of 
bushes with every movement. 

Finally he took a lead that brought him so near 
that when he carefully raised his head he could 
see behind the bushes. 

Yes, he had not been mistaken then, for there 
was a figure in plain sight. Why, it was no man 
after all, but a boy, no taller than himself, gaunt 
looking, and dressed in faded jeans. He was sit- 
ting on a shelf of rock. His jacket had been 
thrown aside, and the sleeve of his ragged cotton 
shirt rolled up, so that he could clumsily wind a 
rag, evidently torn from the aforesaid garment, 
around his arm. 

Blood could be seen below the rag, proving that 
he had been injured more or less severely. Even 
as Alec looked, crouching there, the boy made 
an impatient movement, as though becoming 
angry at his own want of skill in binding up a 
wound. 

There was no evidence of a trick about that 
scene, Alec decided on the spur of the moment; 
and immediately his mind was made up. He 
would join the other, and try to gain his good- 
will by assisting him. 

^Tet me help you, please 


150 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


At the words the backwoods boy started half 
to his feet, and stared at the approaching figure 
of the Northern lad. He even allowed the rag to 
drop, exposing quite a nasty little wound, which 
looked as though a bullet might have cut into the 
arm in speeding past. 

Alec pushed forward now, without the slightest 
show of hesitation. There was upon his frank, 
manly face only the earnest desire to be of some 
assistance; for surely such a wound required 
prompt attention, which the other did not seem 
able to give by himself. 

So they came face to face, the boy who all his 
life had known the best of love and tender care, 
together with all luxuries that money could se- 
cure; and the lad in homespun who had spent his 
years amid the solitudes of these wild mountains, 
knowing nothing save the fact that there was 
constant warfare between the poor people who 
lived among such scenes, and the agents of the 
exacting government. 

And Alec was conscious of a strange feeling as 
he looked in the face of that boy! 


THE MOONSHINERS 


151 


CHAPTER XVI 

THE MOONSHINERS OF THE BIG SMOKIES 

^^Who be yuh?’^ 

The mountain boy asked this question as he 
stood there and stared at Alec. As for the 
Northern lad, he found himself stirred by a 
strange, unaccountable emotion, the nature of 
which he could not just then analyze. 

As he surveyed the thin peaked face of the 
other it seemed to him that they must have met 
before somewhere; if not in the flesh, then in 
dreams. Those brown eyes were so familiar; 
and yet after all the idea seemed absurd; for he 
had never been down here befote, and certainly 
the young moonshiner could not have traveled 
in the North at any time. 

He had to flguratively shake himself to leave 
off staring. It was, after all, the sight of that 
nasty little wound that brought him sharply to 
his senses. 

“My name is Alec,’^ he said; “but you must 
let me bind up that hurt for you. I'm a pretty 
fair hand at flxing wounds. You see, I was on a 
cattle ranch for a whole year, and every cowboy 


152 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


learns how to take care of himself in case of an 
accident. Then IVe got a chum whose father 
is a doctor; he^s given me lots of hints. 

Even while he was speaking Alec had picked 
up the poor apology for a bandage and started 
winding it around the arm. At least he might 
make it serve in part as a tourniquet, and thus 
help to stop the bleeding somewhat. 

^^How did it happen?’’ he asked, gently as he 
worked. 

He did not want to mention the fact that he 
and his comrades suspected the other was shoot- 
ing at them from an ambuscade, after the habit 
of these desperate moonshiners, when they had 
reason to believe strangers might be ^ Revenues.” 

slipped, yuh see,” the other replied, with a 
frown, as though in his mind an accident were 
an inexcusable crime, and made him simply dis- 
gusted with himself. 

“You were watching us at the time, of course?” 
Alec went on, calmly. 

“Yes, that’s so. ’Taint often we-uns see stran- 
gers ’round these diggin’s. An’ them jiggers yuh 
rode knocked me right peart. What be they?” 

“You know what a bicycle is, of course; you’ve 
been in Asheville and seen people riding such 
wheels?” asked Alec, still working deftly at the 
wounded left arm. 

“I reckon I has; but say, I never see wheels . 


THE MOONSHINERS 


153 


that make a hum, and spit out all that noise/’ 
the backwoods boy said. 

^^These are called motorcycles, and they go 
just like the engines do that draw the trains on 
the Southern railroad. Do you belong at the 
cabins we passed just a little ways back?” Alec 
continued, watching the various emotions that 
seemed to chase across the bronzed features of 
the other. 

^^Me? No, I kim from over beyond the 
French Broad. My old man is Jenks Brownlow. 
They calls me Tad, yuh see,” the boy went on. 

^Dh! yes, I have heard your father’s name 
mentioned in Asheville,” Alec said, at which the 
other burst into a sneering laugh. 

“Reckons as how yuh didn’t hear nawthin’ 
good sed ’bout Jenks Brownlow, mister!” he 
broke out with. “Everybody sez as how he’s 
the wust moonshiner in the hull Big Smokies; 
and the revenues’d give more tuh ketch him 
tuh rights than all the rest put tergether; but 
they jest cain’t do it. He’s like a weasel, an’ 
ain’t to be kotched asleep.” 

Alec wondered what it was about this boy that 
seemed to draw him. Rough he was, and un- 
couth; yet beneath it all there seemed something 
he could not just grasp — there were traces of 
better things that flashed up now and then, 
though speedily buried again by the ignorance 


154 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


and uncouth speech that marked the uneducated 
boy of the North Carolina mountains. 

Just then his eye fell upon something that lay 
beside the dingy jacket with the torn sleeve; 
having possibly fallen from a pocket when the 
wounded lad thrown his outer garment off. 

It was a well-thumbed book, apparently such 
as might be used in school. 

He had now finished his job as well as the cir- 
cumstances allowed; and stooping over, he picked 
the little volume up. Just as he suspected, it 
proved to be a school book; and judging from the 
color of the leaves, some one had spent much 
time poring over what was to be found between 
the torn covers. 

^^Is this yours?^^ he asked, with a reassuring 
smile. 

The mountain boy had frowned, and then 
made a movement as though he were strongly 
tempted to snatch the precious volume from his 
hands. 

He nodded his head in the affirmative, and his 
teeth came together with a click; while a look of 
resolution settled on his face. 

^^Do you go to school, then?'^ continued Alec, 
believing he was touching on a subject that might 
open a way to the other^s heart. 

'^No, but I wants tuh the wust kind,’^ came the 
answer. 


THE MOONSHINERS 


155 


^^Did you do this writing in here?^^ 

“Purty nigh all on it. I follered arter what I 
found thar, yuh see. Bouten the book at a store 
in Asheville last time I was thar. Savin’ up every 
cent I kin git tuh go tuh school next year; but 
dad sez as how it’s all tomfoolery. I ain’t gwine 
tuh be skeered outen it. Jest got tuh know all 
’bout things. Somethin’ inside o’ me sez every 
time they crosses me, ^Jest keep agoin’, an’ ye’ll 
git thar yit, Tad.’ An’ they jest caint stop me 
nohow; foh I’m bound tuh larn!” 

^That sounds fine!” said Alec, thrilled some- 
how by the way the other laid down the law to 
himself. ^'And I feel sure you’ll succeed when 
once you get started. But did you know we were 
coming along here? Was that why you hid up 
behind these bashes, and watched us?” 

heerd the n’ise, and was skeered,” the other 
frankly confessed. ^Tain’t thet I’m a coward 
neither, mister; nobody calls me thet; but yuh 
see, I didn’t know wot it was. An’ I was a 
watchin’ o’ yuh w’en my foot slipped, an’ the gun 
she went off. Furgot I hed ther hammer set. 
Mighta blowed my head off as like as not.” 

^^But you saw those four smokes, and knew 
strangers were coming into the mountains, didn’t 
you?” persisted Alec. 

“Shore I did; but thet didn’t skeer me, not any. 
They sez as how I help the ole man with the 


156 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


mash, but they gotter prove it. I ain’t achin’ 
tuh keep along in sech a pore bizness. I wants 
tuh be somethin’ better nor thet,” and the look 
that accompanied these homely words gave Alec 
another strange thrill, it seemed so familiar to 
the boy. 

“I’m sure you will be some fine day!” he ex- 
claimed, warmly, “and I hope to meet up with 
you again. Perhaps you might get a start in sav- 
ing up enough to commence school, by helping 
me out right now. I’m willing to pay you well 
for your services.” 

The other instantly frowned, and instinctively 
drew away from him. 

“Better not say sich things tuh me, mister,” he 
observed, coldly. “They never hev the least 
mercy on informers ’round these diggin’s. I 
wanter go to school alfired bad, but not so bad as 
tuh give away my ole man, or any o’ the boys.” 

“Oh! you mistake me; I didn’t mean that at 
all!” Alec hastened to exclaim. “What I meant 
was an entirely different thing. We are boys 
from the North, and have no connection what- 
ever with the Government. If I saw a still I 
would not believe it my duty to tell any one about 
it. No man, woman or child in the Big Smoky 
mountains has any reason to fear betrayal at the 
hands of myself or three chums.” 

The other stared at him steadily, as though 


THE MOONSHINERS 


157 


trying to read what might lie back of these 
words; and once more Alec experienced that odd 
sensation as he looked into those brown eyes, so 
like a pair he had known somewhere. 

^^All the same, I’d Vise yuh all tuh turn ’round, 
an’ git outen hyah right peart. Strangers as 
kirns into the Big Smokies takes chances. If it 
had a-ben a moonshiner up hyar ’stead o’ me, fust 
thing yuh knowed p’r’aps they’s be’n a shot, and 
wun o’ yuh’d be’n throwed cold. That’s the way 
they does up hyah. Best cl’ar out while yuh 
kin. I’m a-tellin’ yuh this a-cause- 1 like yuh. 
An’ seems like yuh done a right smart job with 
thet arm.” 

^^But before I leave you I want to ask a ques- 
tion,” Alec persisted. 

“Better not, mister, ’case I dassent answer, 
nohow,” said the other, firmly. 

“But this hasn’t the least thing to do with 
moonshiners, or anything they make up here in 
the Big Smokies, I promise that,” Alec went on. 

“All the same,” the mountain boy returned, 
“questions be ugly things mebbe. If yuh don’t 
ask me sech, then I don’t need tuh lie. They 
tried tuh make me tell onct whar the ole man hed 
his place, but sho! wild bosses cudn’t a-torn thet 
from me. If so be yuh wants tuh keep on a-bein’ 
frieh’s wi’ me, don’t ask me anything, mister.” 

“You’re a strange boy. Tad,” said Alec, shak- 


158 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


ing his head as he tried to consider how he might 
mention the name that was in his mind, without 
incurring the suspicion of the other. 

^They all sez the same, an’ I knows it too. 
Thet’s a-cause I’m allers yearnin’ for sumpin’ thet 
keeps a-danglin jest outen my reach. I mout as 
well tell yuh right now thet ye’re a-headin’ intuh 
the deestrict o’ Jenks Brownlow. Every mile 
yuh goes in the d’rection o’ the French Broad the 
danger doubles. Yuh soon caint take a step but 
wot yuh be seen, an’ a gun toilers yuh, sartin. 
Best turn back hyah w’ile yuh has the chanct.” 

How they seemed to ring the changes on that 
one idea — that peril lurked behind every bush 
and tree for strangers in the Big Smokies. But 
Alec was not yet wholly convinced that retreat 
would be the part of wisdom; his heart was so set 
on carrying out that wish of his lamented father 
to the letter. 

He turned again to the mountain boy, with the 
intention of mentioning the name of Theodore 
Warrendale in some way, to see if the other 
showed any sign of recognition. But his plans 
miscarried, as so often proved the case. 

The other was listening, though Alec’s ears had 
caught no suspicious sound as yet. Suddenly 
the young moonshiner jumped forward, and with 
his uninjured hand caught hold of the other, 
dragging him to the ground behind the bushes. 


THE MOONSHINERS 


159 


^^Keep still whispered the wounded lad, 
making a savage face at Alec. 

Now the other could also catch the sound of 
voices, and as he looked he saw several gigantic 
mountaineers come into view, following a trail 
down the mountainside, each carrying a gun in 
one hand, and a small keg on the other shoulder! 

And Alec knew he was at last looking upon 
the Big Smoky moonshiners! 


160 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


CHAPTER XVII 

TRUE GOLD NEEDS NOT THE GUINEA STAMP 

Neither of the boys moved as the four stalwart 
men passed in single file down a winding trail, 
apparently heading for the road below. Un- 
doubtedly they had come fresh from some secret 
^^still’’ away up in the ledges; and either could 
not have seen the warning smoke signals; or else 
were reckless enough to snap their fingers at tho 
idea of danger. 

They passed not fifty feet away from the 
bushes. Alec could easily see the face of each 
man. Had he been a Government informer he 
might have obtained invaluable information 
right then and there, upon which to base subse- 
quent arrests. But that did not happen to be 
his business. In fact, the only thought that be- 
set him was whether any one of those four hardy 
men might chance to be the much desired Theo- 
dore. 

He noticed that the boy seemed to be shaking 
a little, and his eyes gleamed in a strange manner. 
He had regained possession of his gun; and while 
he looked at the men through the bushes he half 


TRUE GOLD 


161 


raised it several times, shaking his head in a way 
that told of uncertainty. 

All of which interested Alec more than a little; 
for it would seem to indicate that the mountain 
boy held some sort of deep grudge against one or 
more of those four moonshiners. 

The danger so far as a discovery of the two 
hiding boys went, had now passed; for the men 
had gained the road below. A new sensation 
came near overwhelming Alec; and he gripped 
the arm of the other, whispering in his ear: 

^^My three chums are hidden along the road 
there; will they be discovered, do you think?^^ 

At that the mountain boy shook his head in the 
negative, saying: 

^They cross the road an’ keep ’long the trail. 
If youh frien’s knows enuff tuh keep theys heads 
down, it’s all right. Watch an’ see.” 

But now the little file of burden-bearers had 
crossed the road, and dipped into the brush 
on the opposite side. Their figures grew more 
uncertain, and soon only the waving of the bushes 
announced where they had gone. 

Alec breathed easier. Still, he was puzzled at 
the actions of the other; for the mountain boy 
was breathing hard, and grinding his teeth as he 
muttered: 

shore was tempted tuh do hit thet time. 
On’y I guv her my promise not to do fur her ole 


162 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


man, I’d let ’im hev it plumb center then. He 
orter be shot, the wolf! ’Nother time, p’r’aps, I 
jest caint hole my hand back.” 

^^Which one was that you’re speaking of?” 
asked Alec, sympathetically. 

^^Stranger, yuh seen thet feller with the red fox 
beard, didn’t yuh?” the other replied by asking 
another question. 

^^Yes, and he certainly was a tough looking 
citizen,” replied Alec. ‘Ts he the one you 
thought you ought to knock down?” 

be,” the other admitted, frankly. “I 
don’t hardly know w’at kep’ me frum doin’ it 
right then, w’en I hed a right smart chanct. 
Like’s not I’ll call myself a fool soon, ’cause I was 
shy on the trigger.” 

^^But you forgot that your gun wasn’t loaded, 
didn’t you?” Alec demanded, humorously. 

At that the other broke out into a hearty laugh. 

^'Say, the joke’s on me thet time,” he said. 
sho must have a pow’ful weak mind tuh let thet 
git past me. Reckon thet’s jest what gripped 
my hand, and kept me frum pullin’ a trigger. 
They’d heard the snap, and hev pitched a heap o’ 
lead up heah ’foah you could wink twict.” 

^^But don’t you know it’s wicked to shoot any 
man in the back, no matter how badly he may 
have injured you?” Alec expostulated, rather 
horrified at the matter-of-fact way in which the 


TRUE GOLD 


163 


other looked at such a thing, which in his mind 
was a ghastly crime. 

^^Huh! he never hurt me nohow, stranger,^’ re- 
plied the other, a dark, venomous look crossing 
his face. mout a-forgotten if et so be he hed; 
but he done wuss nor thet, I’m tollin’ yuh. He 
whipped his leetle lame gal nigh to death ’cause 
she wudn’t steal foh him. She ain’t got no 
mother, and I found Sis all bloody in the cabin. 
Mister, ef I cud a-seen Buck Hanson right then 
I’d bored him, dead sure!” 

^^But surely some of the neighbors would pun- 
ish him, wouldn’t they, if they knew about it?” 
asked the other, startled at the violent passions 
exhibited by these primitive mountaineers. 

^^Not any, stranger. Buck he’s got ’em all 
a-crawlin’ an’ lickin’ his hand. They ain’t ary 
wun as dar’s go up ag’in Buck w’en he roars. But 
he’s hit Sis foh the las’ time, now, I tell yuh,” the 
other boy went on, between his clenched teeth. 

^What! she didn’t die from her injuries, did 
she?” demanded Alec. 

''Shore not. I done take her away, and hid 
her in a cave up yander. Foh more’n a week now 
I fotch her grub, and talk with her. Thet’s whar 
I was a-comin’ frum w’en I see yuh on them 
devil wheels, mister.” 

"But what about her father — doesn’t he hunt 
for her?” the Northern lad went on. 


164 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


At that the other laughed harshly. 

^^Reckon he thinks the wild, dogs o^ the Big 
Smokies must a-took her away. Him keer if Sis 
never shows up? Not any, mister. They^s 
plenty o^ ’em left tuh w’uk foh him. And if Sis 
never gits well, wot good was she to him? 1 
hides her so he won’t kill her w’en he gits drunk 
ag’in. He sed as how he wud, an’ he shore 
will, if he gits a chanct.” 

^^But,” said Alep, more deeply interested in 
this strange boy than ever; ^Vhat can you do 
about it? Do you always expect to keep the 
poor lame child in that cave like a wild beast? 
Couldn’t you take her to your home?” 

^^Huh!” said the other with a snort of disgust, 
“much better off Sis’d be thar’n if she stayed 
right hum. Jenks Brownlow’s new wife’s a holy 
terror, mister. Why, I ain’t be’n hum now this 
three weeks. She’s got it in fur me a-cause 1 tole 
her book lamin’ was the best arter all. She driv 
me out wid ther broom. Reckon as how I ain’t 
got no hum now, ’cept under my hat, ” he added 
sarcastically. 

“But what can you do with the poor child? 
Perhaps there might be some person in Asheville 
who would care for her, if you’d let me ask,” Alec 
continued, somehow drawn heart and soul into 
this strange adventure of the other’s. 

How the face of the mountain boy lighted up! 


TRUE GOLD 


165 


^'Mister, will you tell me sumpinV’ he asked, 
eagerly, and yet with a show of hesitation. 

course I will, and help you in the bar- 
gain,” replied Alec, heartily, ^^and now what is it 
you want to know?” 

^They^s a horspittle in Asheville, I know, 
’case I seen the sign w’en I was thar.” 

^^Yes, there’s a big hospital; for you know 
many sick people come down from the North 
to get well in the balsam laden mountain air. 
What about it?” asked Alec. 

^^Does they ask a heap tuh cure a leetle gal o’ a 
crooked back, mister?” went on the other, his 
whole face lighted up with intense eagerness. 

Alec did not laugh. He realized that this was 
a very grave matter for the one who was seeking 
information. 

^‘That would be hard to say, I’m afraid. Some- 
times they would ask a lot; and then again the 
price might be small. It would all depend on the 
ability of the friends and relatives of the little 
girl to pay,” he said, softly. 

‘^She’s on’y gut me for a frien’, mister, an’ all 
I saved these two years, lookin’ tuh git an ed- 
dication was seventeen dollars. She kirns in 
mighty slow, yuh see, in the Big Smokies. I 
traps some animiles durin’ fur times, an’ manages 
tuh pick up a leetle onct in a while doin’ sumpin’ 
erother. But I jest ’bout made up my mind as 


166 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


how I^d let leetle Sis hev thet money, if so be it^d 
cure her; an’ begin all over ag’in fur my schoolin’. 
She’s sech a pore leetle thing, an’ ain’t got no 
chanct like a big strappin’ boy hes.” 

He winked very hard just then as his thoughts 
went out to the deformed child who had in some 
strange, unaccountable way appealed to the best 
that was in him. And as for Alec, he could hard- 
ly contain himself. Never in all his experience 
had he run across a case like this. That this 
poor ignorant boy, crazy to learn how to read in 
order to know about the great world without, 
should be willing to give up his long cherished 
plans just because a child, that was really no rel- 
ative of his, had appealed to him as being without 
a friend in the whole world, was astonishing. 

He honored this boy more than he could tell. 
There must be something like true gold under 
the rough exterior in a character like that. And 
then and there Alec determined that he would 
never leave that neighborhood without doing 
something to help Tad Brownlow in his ambition 
to get an education; and also that little Sis, whom 
he had not even seen, should have her chance for 
an operation, no matter what it cost. 

'^Won’t you come down and meet my friends, 
Tad?” he asked, hoping to keep the other with 
him a little longer. 

^^Not now, mister. I gotter hurry back tub 


RUE GOLD 


167 


whar Sis is hidin\ Mayhap she seen her ole 
man pars by, an^ if so be she’d be nigh skeered 
tuh death, she’s that feared o’ him. But p’raps 
we’ll run acrost each other ag’in, Alec yuh sez 
as yer name wuz. I like thet. Seems tuh sound 
like music tuh me. Reckons I must a-dreamed 
meetin’ a feller by thet name. Better turn back, 
Alec; I’d hate tuh know ye’d run up ag’in my ole 
man, er any o’ the others in the gang So-long!” 

He was gone before Alec could put out a hand 
to detain him. Once he turned to wave his gun, 
and send back a smile that made his dark face 
look really handsome; and then he vanished be- 
yond an uplift of great naked rocks. 

Alec started down to the road again, and reach- 
ing it he walked hastily along toward the spot 
where he had last seen his chums. The marks of 
the motorcycles could be plainly seen on the dirt; 
and at the point where they all turned off into the 
bushes alongside he followed suit. 

Considerably to his surprise, and not a little 
to his consternation also, he failed to see any sign 
of the three motorcycle boys. He even gave 
vent to a low whistle which they often used as a 
signal; but though he repeated it several times 
and louder on each occasion, there came no reply; 
his chums had strangely vanished. 


168 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


CHAPTER XVIII 

FRECKLES TAKES TO THE BUSH 

Alec found himself sorely puzzled. He looked 
around him, and in various ways made sure that 
this was the identical spot where he had left his 
friends. Yes, there he could see the marks of the 
motorcycles in the earth; and here was the very 
tree against which he had leaned his own ma- 
chine. He knew it from a peculiar bole that 
marked the trank some five feet from the roots. 

But Jack, Freckles and Budge, where could 
they have gone? 

They had expected to wait for him, no matter 
how long he was away. Alec hastily consulted 
his watch so as to get some idea as to the length 
of time he had actually spent in creeping forward; 
and later on in the company of the young moon- 
shiner. 

^^Not more than half an hour at the most, I’m 
dead sure,” he said, his forehead wrinkled with 
the strange mystery of the thing. 

Then suddenly he remembered something — the 
four big mountaineers whom he had seen follow- 
ing the secret trail down the ridge! That they 
were moonshiners he knew from several facts, 


FRECKLES TAKES TO THE BUSH 169 


since each man was carrying a cask on his 
shoulder; and then, had not Tad told him so in 
the bargain? 

Of course, if these rough men had come upon 
the strangers with their motorcycles, they might 
think it policy to capture them, and carry the 
young Northerners deeper into the mountains, 
under the belief that they were spies. 

Could this have happened? 

Alec looked at it from all sides, and then shook 
his head in the negative. 

^^At no time was I far enough away not to have 
heard sounds of a tussle,^’ he said to himself, in a 
convincing way. ^^Budge, I^m sure, would never 
have given in without a howl; and I did not hear 
a sound. Besides, those men went across the 
road, and in another direction entirely. It was- 
nT that; the boys are not prisoners; or, anyway, 
they weren’t when they left here.” 

When he reached this point he had a bright 
idea. The trail! All he had to do was to get 
down, and examine this, in order to learn several 
things. 

First of all he discovered that when the three 
boys left that spot it was to plunge deeper into 
the woods alongside the wretched road. 

^That stands for a panic!” remarked the boy 
who had been on a ranch. 

Next he saw that besides the footprints of his 


170 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


three chums there did not appear to be a solitary 
track. 

^^So it is a cinch that they went alone/' he de- 
cided. 

Last of all he counted the plain imprint of four 
motorcycles. 

^They had the good sense to lug my machine 
along/' chuckled Alec. 

These several facts in a measure restored his 
ruffled feelings, in that he no longer believed his 
friends had fared badly. Something had given 
them a scare, and Jack had decided that it was 
good policy to make a change of base. Strange 
that they had gone so far away as not to hear his 
signal; but there may have been a good reason. 

For instance, could they have seen the gaunt 
figures of the moonshiner band as they crossed 
the road; and imagining that it was the policy of 
the men to surround them, considered it wise to 
hurriedly leave? 

Possibly they even feared that he, Alec, had 
been drawn into some clever trap by the party 
who groaned, and pretended to be hurt. 

So Alec immediately commenced to pick up 
the trail. He would find his chums sooner or 
later, if so be he could only stick to the plain 
tracks of the heavy motorcycles. 

And in ten minutes he realized that the boys 
were showing plain evidences not only of tempo- 


FRECKLES TAKES TO THE BUSH 171 


rary panic, but also of having lost their general 
bearings. They were far from the road, and 
meeting with all manner of trouble. Here they 
had ploughed across a soft morass, where they 
must have sunk in to their ankles; and just be- 
yond they had been compelled to ^Tote^’ the 
weighty machines over a windfall of trees, doubt- 
less the relic of some old-time hurricane. 

Frequently Alec would send out that signal 
whistle, and then listen eagerly for a reply; but 
none came. He could hear the tapping of a 
woodpecker in an old tree on his right; the weird 
screams of a startled bluejay broke the silence a 
little later; after which a wise old crow, perched 
on a swaying branch near the top of a mountain 
pine cawed his displeasure at having the solitude 
brooding over that vicinity disturbed by the in- 
vasion of a stranger. 

One thing began to give Alec satisfaction; the 
trail had turned, as though Jack must have real- 
ized how he was piling up fresh difficulties by 
bearing to the right and was now gradually draw- 
ing nearer the road again. 

This may have been sheer accident; and again 
the new leader of the flock might have put on his 
thinking cap to reason it all out. 

To be sure, here was the old apology for a road 
again; and doubtless the fleeing motorcycle boys 
had joyfully greeted it; at any rate they no longer 


172 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


continued to push the heavy wheels through the 
brush, but had gone along the open. 

Now Alec, possessed by an inspiration, got 
down carefully on hands and knees, the better to 
closely examine the tracks of the machines. 

^They are deeper,^’ he soon remarked, with 
satisfaction in his voice; ^^and from that fact I 
know they must have mounted right here to go 
on.’’ 

When he had thoroughly convinced himself of 
this important fact a new puzzle confronted the 
boy. It would be next door to impossible for 
Jack to lead an extra motorcycle in the further 
flight. Such a job is looked upon as serious 
enough under the best conditions; and with un- 
numbered stones and roots to avoid, it must be 
utterly out of the question. 

What then? 

^^Sure they must have hidden the Comet some- 
where around here!” laughed Alec, as though the 
idea pleased him greatly. 

He set to work investigating; and after all, 
once he had taken hold of the problem it proved 
a very simple matter. 

A single track led away into the woods. This 
he followed, noting that while the trail of the 
wheel was single, there were also returning foot- 
prints; W’hich would indicate that the party had 
come back empty-handed. 


FRECKLES TAKES TO THE BUSH 173 


In this manner then did Alec walk straight up 
to a dense copse, and parting the bushes set eyes 
upon his beloved old Comet! 

^‘BuUy! Now I can overtake them easy 
enough,” he exclaimed, as he hastened to lay hold 
of the precious machine, and drag it forth. 

A hasty examination convinced him that there 
was nothing the matter with Comet. When he 
started the engine the familiar buzz took up the 
refrain that stood for business. And so Alec 
wheeled the machine quickly back to the road. 

Although his chums might have even half an 
hour’s start of him, still he harbored no doubt 
of his ability to speedily overtake them. Budge’s 
presence would seem to assure him of that; for 
the clumsy rider could pretty generally be de- 
pended on to find trouble that must cause more 
or less delay. 

A little beyond that point where he started to 
ride again Alec sighted three more cabins. As on 
the previous occasion they seemed absolutely de- 
serted, not a living creature save a lean pig and 
some half-starved chickens showing up. 

Evidently the three boys had looked around as 
though hoping to strike some one whom they 
could enlist in their services; but the search had 
apparently been without reward ; for he saw where 
the three machines had once more passed on. 


174 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


But by now Alec had reason to believe that he 
was gradually but surely overtaking the fugitives. 
The trail seemed warmer; and there were several 
ways by which he could tell this. 

^Tt’s Budge holding them back, I reckon/’ 
laughed Alec; ^^good for Budge; he’s doing me a 
great favor, though he hardly knows it. I would 
not be surprised to get a peep of them at any 
minute now, as I turn one of these crooks in the 
road.” 

Hardly had he said this than he heard loud 
voices ahead. 

‘^Guessed it that shot, for there’s Budge calling 
out, and I reckon he’s in trouble again,” Alec re- 
marked to himself, as he turned the next bend. 

But he quickly saw that he was mistaken. 

Budge was in plain sight, doing his best to 
reach a pole to some object that appeared to be 
stuck in the middle of a thick thorn bush; while 
Jack was doing the same thing on the near side. 

As Alec came around the turn Budge must 
have just glimpsed him, and without realizing 
who it was, gave a squeal of alarm, and fell flat 
on his face, to try and crawl behind a friendly 
tree for shelter. 

^^Hello! what’s going on here?” demanded the 
newcomer, as he came to a halt, and leaped from 
his motorcycle. ^Tishing on dry land, are you? 
Well, that’s kind of funny business, I take it, 
fellows!” 


FRECKLES TAKES TO THE BUSH 175 


^^Hey! get me out first, and have your joke 
afterwards!’’ called a distressed voice, and a pair 
of long legs began to kick up and down in the 
heart of the thorn bush. 

^Why, it’s Freckles!” exclaimed Alec, as 
though astounded. “Now, what under the sun 
is he doing there, I’d like to know?” 

“Lookin’ for the passage down to China! 
Searchin’ for signs of gold in this yellow moun- 
tain clay! Trying to find a hole to crawl in! 
But for goodness’ sake get me out before I’m 
scratched all to flinders!” shouted the one in 
misery. 

Of course Alec understood. The Cannonball 
Limited lay on its back near by, proving that in 
an incautious moment Freckles must have col- 
lided with an obstacle big enough to suddenly 
halt his wheel; and as he kept on going, the result 
was his landing headfirst in this dense thorn bush. 

The more he kicked the worse his position 
seemed to become; so that finally he was reduced 
to the extremity of depending for succor from the 
hands of his chums. 

Alec readily saw that the rescue would be a 
difficult one if carried out simply by means of 
poles. They must go at the root of the matter, 
and cut away the worst of the bush until the 
prisoner could be reached. 

Accordingly he immediately set to work; and 


176 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


when he tired one of the others took up the task. 
Of course Freckles kept up a running fire of com- 
ment while the work of rescue progressed. And 
he said many sarcastic things concerning the 
pleasure that he was enjoying while posing as the 
diver. 

In the end they reached him; and when two of 
them could get their arms about the long-legged 
boy^ he was brought forth. 

Although he had imagined that he was badly 
hurt by the thorns, an examination proved that 
there were only a couple of gouges visible, al- 
though several more gave him considerable pain 
in his legs. 

But the motorcycle was damaged! Jack sur- 
veyed this seriously, for while he knew he could 
fix it up again, it would take some time. 

Of course Alec was called upon to teU all that 
he had passed through since leaving his mates. 
And in turn he learned that his deduction con- 
cerning their panic had been the exact truth. 
They had fled after seeing those terrible look- 
ing moonshiners; and the further they went the 
greater their alarm became. 

''But it's all right now," said Budge, heaving 
a big sigh, as though, like the coming of Sheridan 
at the battle of Cedar Creek, the reinforcement 
of one man altered the whole aspect of things, 
and brought victory out of defeat. 


FRECKLES TAKES TO THE BUSH 177 


But Alec himself did not feel quite so confi- 
dent. He had as yet discovered not a single 
trace of the party whom he wished to find; and 
it began to look as though they might have to 
leave the solitudes of the Big Smokies with the 
object of the expedition far from accomplished. 

As the afternoon was wearing away, and they 
could make but poor progress while Freckles^ 
machine was in need of repairs, it was concluded 
to camp there in sight of the road. 

^Wefil keep watch, and stop the first person 
passing,” said Jack. 

^ ^Whether he’s a moonshiner or not?” demand- 
ed Budge, looking worried. 

^^Sure,” broke in Freckles, who had by now re- 
covered from his humiliation, and was feeling 
like himself again. ^We’re going to prove to 
these moonshiners that we’re the best friends 
they’ve got. When Alec gets his little spiel work- 
ing he’s bound to convince ’em that it’s to their 
interest to help us find Theodore. We’ve been 
through a heap of disagreeable things on this 
trip, fellows; but cheer up! It’s always darkest 
before dawn, they say!” 

^^Yes, cheer up, fellows,” mocked Budge, dis- 
consolately. ^The worst is yet to come; for do 
you know, we’ve just got to go to bed tonight 
without supper! If that ain’t enough to break a 
chap’s heart I don’t know what is.” 


178 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


reckon that’s true, boys,” remarked Alec. 

^ ^Unless one of us goes back to those deserted 
cabins, and tries to forage, leaving money to pay 
for the same. Perhaps somebody may have 
come back by now. I’ve got a good notion to 
try it myself, while Jack is working at the Can- 
nonball Limited.” 

Budge was divided in his feelings. He hated 
to see their leader leave them once more; and yet 
the thought of securing even the plainest of food 
filled him with delight. So he just shut his eyes, 
and grunted. When he heard a popping sound 
he looked up to find that Alec had gone. 

Alec even went so far as to dismount before 
drawing near the cabins, in the belief that if he 
rode on, his coming might frighten some one off. 
But after all his quest was in vain. 

The place was more deserted than ever, even 
the chickens having betaken themselves off to 
some roosting place in the bush; and the grunting 
pig had likewise vanished. 

Although Alec even invaded the three cabins 
in the hope of finding a corn pone already cooked, 
nothing of the sort greeted his eyes. When these 
natives had fled on seeing the smoke signals they 
must have carried every scrap of food they had 
with them to the unknown retreat among the 
fastnesses of the mountains, where revenue men 
dared not come to apprehend them as witnesses; 


FRECKLES TAKES TO THE BUSH 179 


or force women or children to betray the men of 
the house. 

So Alec came back; upon which poor Budge, on 
seeing that he was empty-handed, clasped both 
hands over his stomach, and fairly groaned in 
anguish. For in all his life he could not remem- 
ber having gone to bed foodless more than two 
times. It was simply ^^awful,’^ he declared. 

He sat there for a long time as the shadows 
gathered, and the owls started in to call one an- 
other in the depths of the forest. No doubt as 
he stared into the blaze of the cheery fire. Budge 
was running over in his mind innumerable feasts 
he had enjoyed in the past when seated thus. 

Unable to stand it longer he concluded that he 
would jump to his feet. Perhaps he might not 
suffer quite so badly if he kept walking up and 
down. 

But hardly had Budge struggled to his feet, 
always something of a task with him after sitting 
in a cramped position for awhile, than on looking 
up he gave utterance to a little bleat of alarm, 
which sound caused the others to also turn. 

What they saw was hardly a reassuring sight ; 
for a tall, rough-looking man holding a rifle partly 
aimed, was standing there not twenty feet away! 


180 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


CHAPTER XIX 

THE MOTORCYCLE BOYS PRISONERS 

^^Wow! don^t shoot, mister! We surrenderT’ 
exclaimed Budge, throwing up both of his hands 
as he had doubtless seen done many times in the 
moving pictures he admired so much. 

The other boys were now also on their feet, and 
staring with mingled feelings at the rough look- 
ing customer who stood there like a statue. 

Of course none of them made the least move- 
ment looking toward any resistance. It would 
have apparently been the height of foolishness, 
since they were practically defenseless, while the 
man had a deadly gun. Besides, the firelight 
flickered on a grim face, and they could see in 
that one first look that they were dealing with a 
man who might prove a hard customer. 

Alec was equal to the occasion. He had 
thought over this very thing before, and even 
made up his mind as to what their actions must 
be, should it come about. 

'^Howdyado?” he called out, pleasantly. ^‘Will 
you join us at the fire? Sorry we haven’t any- 
thing to offer you in the way of food; but the 


THE MOTOR BOYS PRISONERS 181 


fact is, weVe got to go without any supper our- 
selves, because we can’t find any place to get a 
meal.” 

The tall, gaunt man took several steps forward. 
He seemed to be watching them attentively; and 
Alec could see that his eyes were as keen as those 
of a hawk. Well, a moonshiner in the moun- 
tains along the border of Tennessee and Carolina 
has need of keen vision to detect the coming of 
the men who are constantly endeavoring to trap 
him and his. 

When he came closer Alec could see him better. 
He remembered what he had heard Judge Em- 
bree tell about the moonshiner chief, and some- 
how the idea flashed upon him that he was even 
now looking on Jenks Brownlow, the notorious 
maker of illicit sour mash that declined to pay 
the Government tax, and was therefore outlawed. 

suppose, sir, you’re w^ondering what we are 
doing down here,” Alec went on, as the other did 
not seem disposed to speak as yet. ^We belong 
up North; and as I had to come down here to 
carry out the last wishes of my dead father, and 
see about some property belonging to me here, 
my chums concluded that it would be a fine thing 
to come along. So we rode our motorcycles all 
the way down here.” 

He pointed to the wheels as he spoke, and the 
eyes of the tall mountaineer followed the gesture 
intently. 


182 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


Then suddenly turning, the man made a sweep- 
ing motion with his left arm. It must have been 
in the nature of a signal; for immediately heads 
bobbed up in several places; after which three 
men advanced toward the fire. 

And although the number was the same, Alec 
readily saw that these were not the men whom he 
had watched pass single file along that trail, each 
burdened with a small keg of ^^mountain dew.^' 

The woods were evidently full of moonshiners 
— ^when revenue men happened to be scarce; but 
let them start a secret raid, and they would hard- 
ly be able to come across a single one. 

Each of these men also carried a gun of some 
sort, usually a rifle, and in most cases an up-to- 
date repeater, capable of doing terrible execution 
should the owner find himself cornered, and forc- 
ed to fight for his liberty. 

One of them also carried a pot along with him 
and immediately started in as if intending to get 
a meal, cutting up some meat, which might have 
been pork or game, the boys could not tell which. 

Needless to say this immediately caught the 
eye of Budge, who watched operations as if fas- 
cinated> rubbing himself the while in congratu- 
lation over the improved prospects. 

Alec knew that everything depended on his 
making a good impression on the black-bearded 
leader; and with this end in view he approached 
him, open faced. 


THE MOTOR BOYS PRISONERS 183 


came across several cabins further back/^ 
he went on to remark; ^^but there was not a liv- 
ing soul to be found. Outside of Mrs. Torrey 
we haven’t really been able to meet anybody 
since coming to the mountains. Her husband 
used to be my father’s guide a long time ago; she 
told me when she learned my name. Is Gabe 
with you now?” 

The man looked at him closely, and then called 
out: 

^'Hey! Gabe, cum hyar.” 

One of the others approached, looking curious- 
ly at the two. 

^This yer critter sez as how yuh used tuh be 
his dad’s guide a heap ways back?” Brownlow 
observed, with a trace of a sneer in his voice. 
^^Sez as how yer ole woman done tole him so. 
How’s thet, Gabe? Kin yuh ’member ennything 
’bout it?” 

Of course Gabe immediately stared hard at the 
boy, and something like a look of wonder appear- 
ed on his seamed face. 

^T am Alec Travers,” said the boy. ^'My 
father used to hunt down here every year, away 
back before I was born. And Gabe Torrey was 
his guide many times. How are you, Gabe?” 

He thrust out his hand impulsively. Gabe 
looked at his chief, and then awkwardly accepted 
the same. 


184 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


shore reckons it be his boy, Jenks,’^ he said, 
nodding. kin see thuh same look thar. He 
shore must be a Travers.^’ 

“Wot o^ thet?^’ demanded the other, in a surly 
tone. “ ’Case yuh knowed his dad aways back 
ain’t no sign the critter ain’t sold out tuh the rev- 
enues. Didn’t he stop over wid Jedge Embree? 
And don’t we hev an ijee thuh jedge is in tech 
wid the people down at Washington? Reckons 
yuh better fight shy o’ him, Gabe. Mightn’t 
look well tuh be friends wid a revenue spy.” 

“Oh!” exclaimed Alec, eagerly, “but I hope to 
convince you that none of us have the slightest 
wish to harm a living soul here in the Big Smo- 
kies. I’m looking for a man my father wanted 
me to find down here. I’ve got something for 
him, something that may turn out to be valu- 
able.” 

But the man only muttered words under his 
breath and moved away from Alec, as if deter- 
mined not to listen longer. Presently he was 
seen to be talking with one of the others, who 
left the camp, going back toward the east. Some- 
how Alec got an idea into his head that the man 
had been sent to Asheville to learn certain facts 
in connection with the four boys; and that upon 
the nature of the report which he brought back 
depended their fate. He might have a horse 
somewhere, which he could use to cover the dis- 
tance to and fro. 


THE MOTOR BOYS PRISONERS 185 


It was not a very pleasant thought that so 
much depended on chance. Alec and Jack found 
an opportunity to get their heads together, and 
exchange views. But they were careful not to 
make it appear that anything unusual was going 
on; for frequently one of the men would cast dark 
looks in their direction. 

Budge and Freckles did not at first realize the 
serious nature of their situation. The latter, 
under the belief that Jack had quite finished 
mending his motorcycle, approached to examine 
the same. He was thrilled by feeling something 
cold touch his cheek as he bent over. Looking 
up. Freckles was further horrified to find that 
the chilling object was the muzzle of a gun; 
while back of it glowered the sunburned face of 
Gabe Torrey. 

^^Git back tuh the fire, an^ jest leave these heah 
things alone was what the moonshiner said; 
but Freckles lost no time in obeying the request; 
and he was shivering as he once again squatted 
down near Budge. 

The latter had been sniffing at the fragrant 
odors that had by now commenced to escape 
from the pot that was hung by a camper^s crotch 
over the fire. 

“Oh! my, I hope they won't delay too long," 
he remarked, as Freckles dropped at his side. 
“I'm that eager for things to begin I can hardly 
wait." 


186 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


^^You are, hey?’’ snapped the tall lad, with a 
sneer that was partly intended to hide his own 
quivering tones; ^ Veil, p’r’aps you won’t be quite 
so anxious when you twist your eyes around, and 
just note what that feller is practicin’ over yon- 
der!” 

Budge looked, and then turned deadly pale; 
for the man in question seemed to be tying a loop 
at the end of a long rope; while he grinned as 
though he enjoyed the consternation of the two 
lads. 

^^My gracious goodness!” gasped Budge. 
“What d’ye suppose he’s doing that for. Freckles? 
You don’t mean they’re thinking of hanging us 
all up just like we were a string of sausages?” 

“I hope not,” returned Freckles, himseh feel- 
ing about as “limp as a dish-rag,” as he expressed 
it. “But they don’t seem to take any stock at 
all in what Alec told ’em. Gee! if we ever get 
safe out of this scrape, catch me coming to the 
Big Smokies again! It’s me for home, and 
mother.” 

“But sure you don’t think they’d hang a bunch 
of jolly fellows who never even lifted a finger to 
harm anybody?” Budge went on, in a half whine. 

“They look like a tender-hearted lot now, don’t 
they?” Freckles whispered. “Make up your 
mind we’re in for a bad time. Budge. And if it 
does come to the last ditch, please don’t disgrace 
the bunch by crying. Be a man. Budge!” 


THE MOTOR BOYS PRISONERS 187 


^^Aw! yes/’ said the other, ^^that’s easy enough 
for you to say, because you happen to be made 
different from me. I’m ever so much bigger than 
you are; and so you see I’ve got a heap more feel- 
ing. But anyhow, if they are bound to hang us, 
I only hope they let us have a share of that grub 
first. It won’t be quite so hard then.” 

‘Well, I always did say that if you was dying 
you’d think of eating. What good would grub 
do you, tell me that?” demanded Freckles, un- 
able to see the humorous aspect of the thing. 

“Why, it fortifies the system against breaking 
dovui,” asserted Budge. “That’s why they al- 
ways see to it that a condemned man gets a good 
breakfast before he walks out to be plunked off. 
I’m going to demand my rights in this thing. 
I’ll refuse to play if they won’t feed me.” 

Freckles looked at him as if wondering whether 
poor Budge could really mean all he said; or was 
going out of his mind with fright. 

“Well, what d’ye know about that?” he mut- 
tered to himself, as he continued to watch Budge 
out of the corner of his eye; “I believe the fellow 
will be helping hii,iself soon, if nobody invites 
him. He’s going to stand up for his rights; and 
in this case that means a share of that stew. 
Wow! Budge is sure the limit!” 

Meanwhile Alec and Jack were no nearer a 
solution to the problem than when they had 
started talking it over. 


188 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


^^Are you certain that this man is Jenks Brown- 
low, the man they told us so much about?^^ asked 
Jack, in a whisper. 

^^Oh! there's no doubt about that," replied his 
chum, quickly. remember that he was de- 
scribed to us; and then again, I heard one of the 
men call him by name. But why do you say 
that?" 

guess you've forgotten about Tad," re- 
marked the other, quietly. 

^^Well, I had, somewhat," Alec answered, 
frankly. ^^But how could he be of any help to us 
in this trouble?" 

^^You did him a favor," Jack immediately de- 
clared. ^‘That wound must have been pretty 
serious only for the clever way you stopped it 
bleeding." 

“Oh! well, granted that what you say is true, 
what then. Jack?" 

“Why don't you tell Jenks about it?" the other 
suggested. “He might feel less bitter against 
us if he knew you'd been of some help to his boy. 
Perhaps he'd even consent to let us go, if so be 
yve promised to clear out of the Big Smokies, and 
never return." 

“But you're only guessing. Jack. From what 
the boy said, I imagine they don't care much for 
him at home. He seems to be made of a differ- 
ent kind of stuff to the rest. It shows in his 


THE MOTOR BOYS PRISONERS 189 


craze to get an education. There's something 
inside him, as he himself said, that is forcing him 
to want to climb up out of the ditch of ignorance. 
And that makes the rest of 'em think he's putting 
on airs, and wants to look down on his family." 

^Then you don't think it would pay to tell 
Jenks?" Jack went on, persistently. 

^Well, I just don't know, that's a fact," was 
his chum's reply. ^Terhaps, if we get in a worse 
corner, I may speak about Tad, and in that way 
try to make friends with the old man; but he's a 
holy terror, and I don't fancy we'd gain much by 
doing it." 

^^Look at those two sillies hanging over the 
fire, and waiting for that pot to boil. They actu- 
ally think they're going to have a square meal," 
chuckled Jack, trying to put the grim facts out 
of his mind by appearing amused, though Alec 
was not deceived by it in the least. 

^^No, I think you're off there. Jack," he re- 
marked. ^^Both of them look scared to beat the 
band. The fact is, they're watching that chap 
handling that rope yonder. See the grin on his 
ugly face! He's having what he calls fun, in 
giving them a cold chill. It's all done for effect, 
you know." 

'T hope so," Jack replied, with a shrug of his 
shoulders; ^^because somehow it doesn't seem to 
appeal to me. If I have to shufHe off, I'd rather 


190 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


go by some less elevated route than hanging.” 

^^Oh! let’s change the subject,” laughed Alec; 
and they did. 

A little later on, Alec lay there, watching the 
scene as depicted by the light of the fire. Often 
had he sat thus, and fully enjoyed watching his 
chums going about their several duties. Not so 
now. The three boys were thoroughly cowed, 
and sat there in gloomy silence, as though their 
thoughts brought only renewed mental distress. 

The three rough men were squatted close by, 
and only waiting until the contents of that hang- 
ing kettle had been fairly well cooked, when they 
doubtless meant to partake of the savory, if 
humble, mess. 

Alec was cudgeling his brains in the endeavor 
to think up some scheme whereby he might en- 
list the sympathy of Brownlow. Of course the 
man, like every one else, must love money; if 
only he could be influenced to take a ransom for 
the captive four. 

The main trouble, Alec realized, was that he 
might fear lest his motives in accepting the 
money be looked upon by his ignorant and sus- 
picious companions as in the wrong light, and 
in the nature of a bribe. And the man who took 
a dollar from a revenue agent was doomed to an 
early death in the Land of the Sky. 

Turn which way he would Alec could see only 


THE MOTOR BOYS PRISONERS 191 


the frowns of misfortune confronting him. For 
the first time he even began to take himself to 
task for ever entering upon this search for a 
party whom nobody seemed to know. It had 
brought himself and chums into a serious fix; and 
who could say how they were ever going to get 
out of it? 

As to hoping that they might escape while 
their captors slept, that was almost too foolish 
to consider. Like as not the wily Brownlow 
would either keep a guard over them all night; or 
else see that they were securely bound before at- 
tempting to get any sleep himself. 

Alec drew a long breath, oppressed with heavy 
forebodings. Then, almost in a flash, something 
happened that seemed to give him a new lease 
of life. From gloom arose the thrill of hope. 

He had been unconsciously attracted by some- 
thing moving back of the three moonshiners; and 
as he involuntarily turned his eyes in that direc- 
tion, judge of his astonishment when he saw a 
face lifted above a rock, and a hand motioning 
to him. 

And that face he readily recognized as be- 
longing to the young moonshiner. Tad! 


192 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


CHAPTER XX 

POOR, UNFORTUNATE BUDGE 

“Did you see that, Alec?’^ whispered Jack, 
showing that he too must have witnessed the 
motions of the boy above the rock. 

“Yes,’’ replied the other, in the same cautious 
tone. 

“He was trying to catch your eye. I could 
tell that from the way he looked and acted. Was 
that Tad?” demanded Jack. 

“Yes,” said Alec again; hardly noting that he 
kept on answering so shortly; for he was con- 
sumed by an overpowering curiosity to know just 
how the moonshiner boy could be of any assist- 
ance to them. 

Would he walk boldly into the camp, and de- 
mand that his father allow the boy who had be- 
friended him, as well as his chums, to go free? 
Well, one look at that forbidding countenance 
of Jenks Brownlow was answer enough as to 
what the result of such action was bound to be. 

Perhaps, then. Tad might try to go for help, so 
as to have the boys rescued. That idea had no 
sooner flashed into the mind of Alec than he 


POOR, UNFORTUNATE BUDGE 193 


thrust it forth as utterly out of the question. For 
to bring assistance into these mountains would 
mean the capture or death of his own father; 
who was really little more than an outlaw in the 
eyes of revenue officers, long desirous of taking 
him. 

Was there any other way? 

Yes, he might bide his time, and during the 
night creep into the camp to silently lead the 
prisoners out of their bondage. Of course that 
would be welcome, indeed; but Alec winced at the 
prospect of their having to leave those four 
precious motorcycles behind, never to be seen 
again; and they anticipated having so much more 
pleasure with the machines in the near future, 
too. 

But the case was that desperate they would 
be foolish if they hesitated about abandoning the 
wheels, should a chance for escape arise. Money 
could be obtained with which to buy other motor- 
cycles just as good; while nothing would take the 
place of human life, or liberty. 

Evidently, then, they were in for a long wait, 
if Tad meant to try and effect their rescue when 
the three men slept. 

He had disappeared now from the vicinity of 
the rock, and Alec felt sure he saw him creeping 
away. Fully fifteen minutes passed without 
anything happening to break the monotony. 


194 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


The men still lounged there, keeping their eyes 
on the boys; but it happened that none of them 
chanced to be looking toward the fire that burned 
close to the trunk of a fair-sized tree. 

Then once again Alec glimpsed something 
moving. At first he could not quite decide 
whether it might be a wild animal creeping up to 
observe what was the cause for all this delightful 
smell in the neighborhood; or a human being, 
down on all fours, and advancing with his body 
close to the ground. 

A minute later and he had made sure that it 
was the latter, because he saw a head cautiously 
lifted, as though the party were taking an obser- 
vation. 

Evidently the unknown creeper did not wish 
to be discovered. This must mean that he 
looked upon the three moonshiners in the light 
of enemies, at present at least. 

Was it Tad? Alec felt positive that he could 
answer this in the affirmative, even though he 
had as yet not been able to obtain a good look at 
the other. 

But why was the boy crawling toward that 
tree, so close to the fire? True, the way the 
men were lying, none of them was apt to dis- 
cover him; but could he have any designs on 
the supper that was cooking? 

It seemed like a foolish thought; and yet when 


POOR, UNFORTUNATE BUDGE 195 


Alec watched him continue creeping around the 
butt of that tree he saw that the boy was actu- 
ally heading direct for the fire! 

Then, while he held his very breath in wonder 
and suspense, Alec saw him suddenly raise his 
hand, and drop a little bunch of leaves into the 
kettle; after which the moonshiner boy ducked 
down low, as if afraid lest his act might have been 
noticed by one of the men. 

Alec’s own heart was seemingly in his throat 
with the agony of suspense; but there was no 
outburst of loud words; neither did any one of 
the men spring erect, to reach for a gun. 

Tad had backed behind the friendly tree again, 
and was doubtless in the act of scuttling off, as 
though the object of his secret visit had been 
fully accomplished. 

But what did it all mean? At first Alec was 
puzzled. If certain herbs would improve that 
savory stew, why then should the other make 
such a pretense of secrecy at the time he added 
them to the mess? 

Alec had an inspiration. Perhaps, after all, 
those herbs were more noted for their medicinal 
qualities than any property they might possess 
in the line of seasoning for cooking. Perhaps 
their addition to the supper of the moonshiners 
might later on have some wonderful effect in 
making them very sleepy! 


196 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


Jack had been fully awake, and also witnessed 
this strange act of the mountain boy; while 
Budge and Freckles simply stared, without com- 
prehending a thing. 

^^What did he do that for?” asked Jack, in a 
whisper as he crawled closer to his chum. 

^IVe just reasoned it out,” replied the other; 
“and come to the conclusion that he wants to 
put the whole bunch to sleep as soon as they Ve 
eaten supper.” 

“Dope ’em, do you mean?” demanded Jack, 
in amazement and wonder. 

“That’s my idea. It just can’t mean any- 
thing else,” Alec went on. 

“Then we must tell Budge and Freckles,” 
Jack whispered. “It wouldn’t do for them to 
get stupid for sleep just when we have to kick 
the dust of this place off our feet. I’ll manage 
to get over, and whisper the news to ’em.” 

“Poor old Budge!” said Jack; “I know it’ll 
nearly break his heart when he learns he can’t 
have any of that grub. He’s been sitting there, 
sniffing at the smell this half hour. He’ll take 
it hard, see if he don’t.” 

He did too; and really groaned when Jack told 
how the boy had tossed some herbs into the stew, 
that would do something queer to all those who 
partook. 

“I’m near tempted to take the chances, if they 


POOR, UNFORTUNATE BUDGE 197 


ask me/^ said Budge, drawing a long sigh as he 
looked regretfully at the steaming kettle. 

^^Well, you’d better not,” said Freckles, se- 
verely. ^^How do we know but what the bloom- 
ing old mess is poisoned by now? What’s the 
use escaping being hung to just turn up your 
toes to the daisies by way of deadly nightshade, 
or something like that.” 

^^And even if it only made you dead for sleep, 
we’d have to go off and leave you here alone to 
take your medicine, remember that. Budge!” 
Jack added. 

^^Oh! all right, then,” whined the other, rue- 
fully. ‘T s’pose I’ll just have to give in this 
time. But I did have my heart set on tasting 
that stew. Say, d’ye s’pose now a teenty little 
bit would hurt me. Jack?” 

^Terhaps not,” replied the other, ^^but your 
silly actions might get the men suspicious, and 
they’d refuse to eat the stuff themselves. Con- 
sequence is we’d be prisoners when morning 
rolled around again; and perhaps in a way to test 
that rope.” 

^^All right. I’ll be good. I’d do anything for 
you fellows,” said Budge with a fine air of mar- 
tyrdom. 

^'Sure, we know that,” echoed Freckles. ‘‘And 
if any accident should happen to you, we expect 
to put up a fine granite monument to you, on 


198 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


which all your good points will be engraved. 
And above all the rest will be these grand words : 
‘He could even starve for his chums!’ ” 

Budge may or may not have understood the 
sarcasm under this veiled honey— but he made 
no remark. Later on, when Jack was sitting 
beside Alec once more, they could see how Budge 
got up and moved further away from the vicinity 
of the fire, a look of lofty resolution on his pudgy 
face. 

^^He’s saying, ^Get thee behind me, Satan,’ ” 
chuckled Jack. ^^By going to the windward side 
of the fire, you see, he won’t be tantalized any 
longer by the smell of the cooking. But look, 
Alec, I believe the men are going to eat right 
now.” 

They were certainly getting to their feet, and 
drawing closer to the fire. From some source 
several tins were produced; and after that the 
fellow, Gabe, acting as master of ceremonies, 
dished several big spoonfuls of the mess out on 
each platter. 

He even brought one over to Alec, possibly 
moved by some touch of revived sentiment be- 
cause of past associations with the boy’s father. 

When Alec declined it with a movement of the 
head, Gabe snorted, and turned back. Changing 
his mind, he offered the platter to Jack and 
Freckles in turn, each of whom declined without 


POOR, UNFORTUNATE BUDGE 199 


hesitation. When he thrust it in front of poor 
Budge the hungry boy actually turned white, 
and seemed almost on the point of clutching the 
platter; when a sharp kick on the ankle, from 
Freckles, apparently accidentally given, caused 
him to shake his head, and make a grimace. 

Gabe looked hard at the boys, as though a dim 
suspicion had tried to fasten on his mind, but 
his fuddled brain refused to grasp the situation. 
Then he stalked back to the log where the others 
were already devouring their shares with the 
eagerness of half-starved dogs. He said some- 
thing that made Jenks Brownlow glance over at 
the four boys; but what it may have been even 
Alec’s sharp ears failed to catch. 

At any rate the three men were all eating now. 
Gabe had set his pannikin down at first, as 
though meaning to deny himself. Presently, 
however, he began to pick a little at the food; 
and as though the taste finally overcame his 
scruples he was soon dishing out a second help- 
ing, so as to keep pace with his comrades. 

Alec only hoped that his suspicions with re- 
gard to the plans of the moonshiner boy were not 
astray; and that something strange was going 
to foUow the placing of those herbs in the con- 
tents of the kettle. 

But he managed to whisper to the others not 
to appear to take any undue interest in the 


200 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


actions of the men, lest they excite suspicion 
that all was not right. For Budge had been 
looking over at them eating, with the most for- 
lorn expression on his face imaginable. After 
that he turned his back on temptation, and 
closed his eyes so that he might find a little 
peace. 


HOW THE GAME WORKED 201 


CHAPTER XXI 

HOW THE GAME WORKED 

^Xooks like they might be through eating 
now,” said Jack, after some time had elapsed; 
and the four boys were lying close together. 

^^Oh! I wonder if there’s any left?” muttered 
Budge; but Freckles overheard the remark, and 
whispered to Alec: 

^ ^Better keep an eye on that Budge. He’s 
just crazy to take a look-in at that blooming old 
kettle; and the chances are, we’ll catch him 
scooping out the remains with that big spoon, if 
he ain’t stopped short.” 

^^Not much danger,” said Alec, “for I reckon 
they must have pretty well cleaned the thing 
out, from the helpings they took. But I’ll re- 
member, and make sure Budge doesn’t try any 
foolishness.” 

“And now, what?” asked Jack. 

“Nothing. Just lie around and wait,” re- 
plied Alec, hopefully. 

“You mean we can’t do anything to help mat- 
ters along; is that it?” demanded the other, try- 
ing to watch the men out of the corner of his eye, 
without being seen. 


202 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


course/^ was Alecks rejoinder. what 
we believe is so, then in good time you ^11 see sev- 
eral sleepy-heads around here. There^s only 
one thing I^m worried about. 

^What’s that, Alec?^^ asked Freckles, in awed 
tones, for the tremendous possibilities of the sit- 
uation were beginning to tell upon his nerves. 

“I^m a little afraid of that Brownlow,” replied 
Alec. ^^He’s an ugly customer, they all say; and 
if he once suspects that they Ve been drugged, he 
may try to take it out on us when he feels the 
sleepy game coming over him.’^ 

^What could we ever do against such a big 
buUy?’^ gasped Freckles. 

^^Not much in the way of tackling him,^^ Alec 
went on, his jaws setting in the determined 
fashion the others knew so well; “but you must 
remember that IVe got an automatic pistol 
along with me. I^d sure hate the worst kind to 
have to use it on a human being; but if it came 
to the worst, I think I would. 

“What are they doing now?^^ asked Budge; 
whose back being turned toward the three moon- 
shiners he was unable to watch their actions, and 
depended on his chums to report progress. 

“Gabe is yawning and stretching already, 
said Freckles. “Gee! look at the way he gapes, 
would you? It^s sure getting a good grip on old 
Gabe, all right. Wish the other two would follow 


HOW THE GAME WORKED 203 


suit. What! there^s the next chap trying his 
hand now. Always heard yawning was catching, 
and I reckon it is. And as sure as you live, look 
at Jenks taking his turn at the job. My! but 
they’re getting to be a sleepy bunch! Alec, how 
much time d’ye give ’em now?” 

^^Oh! perhaps ten or twenty minutes,” replied 
the one addressed. ^^They’re apt to try and 
fight it off, you see. But every time the game 
gets weaker, and in the end we’ll like as not see 
the three of ’em stretched out like mummies.” 

^^Oh ! happy day ! Don’t I wish it would hurry, 
though!” muttered Budge; stealing a look around, 
not at the three men, but taking in the declining 
fire, and the stew kettle close beside it. 

Freckles nudged Alec as if to draw his atten- 
tion to the fact. 

But that party had other things to rivet his 
attention. He saw that Jenks Brownlow was 
getting to his feet; although he seemed to be a bit 
shaky after he had succeeded in gaining an erect 
position. 

He started toward the boys; and Alec’s hand 
crept into the pocket where he kept his weapon. 
What was the giant moonshiner about to do? 
Had he any desperately wicked plan in his 
twisted mind? Would he attempt to injure 
these boys, under the impression that they 
might be Government spies, and capable of^rap- 


204 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


ping himseK and comrades by dosing them with 
some sleep-producing drug? 

Alec watched the man stoop down. He was 
securing the long and thin, though stout rope, 
with which the other fellow had amused himself 
in fixing a slip noose, just to thrill the gaping 
Budge and Freckles. 

That meant he intended to secure the prison- 
ers, so that even though all slept together, there 
could be no slipping avvay on their motorcycles 
on the part of the boys. 

Alec hardly knew what he ought to do. Had 
the chief been alone, he might have decided to 
make use of his weapon to stand him off; but he 
could not ignore the other pair of rascals, who 
would be apt to spring to the assistance of their 
leader in case he needed help. 

One way or the other, the thing had to be de- 
cided quickly. There was really no time for any 
deliberation; and so Alec made up his mind that, 
considering what hope they had for a speedy 
rescue, he had better make no resistance, unless 
the other started to search him, when he must 
be ready to defend that precious packet he was 
carrying on his person. 

Roughly Jenks Brownlow ordered Freckles 
and Budge to back up to each other; and after 
they had done so, he threw a few loops of the 
rope around them, knotting it good and hard in 


I 


HOW THE GAME WORKED 205 


such fashion that, alone and unaided, the two 
boys could never have succeeded in releasing 
themselves from the thrall. 

‘^Now th’ rest o’ yuh do ther same!” growled 
the sleepy Jenks. 

Of course Alec and Jack complied, for they re- 
alized that things were working as well as they 
could have hoped; and it would be foolish to 
arouse the anger of the giant by a refusal to carry 
out his wishes. 

When he had completed the job the moon- 
shiner tested the bonds, and then stood over the 
bound lads, chuckling; though Alec noted with 
secret delight that the laugh ended in another 
furious yawn. 

Why, Gabe Torrey was already lying there on 
the ground like a bag of salt; while the other 
fellow sat and nodded furiously, as though he 
could not fight away the terrible drowsy feeling 
much longer. 

Without doubt the sleeping weed was getting 
in its work beautifully. 

Brownlow staggered back toward the spot 
where he had been squatting. On the way he 
came across the figure of Gabe, which fact 
seemed to amuse him considerably. He even 
stopped and aimed a few kicks at the sleeper; 
but being too unsteady on his feet to meet with 
much success, he finally staggered on, muttering 
heavily, and lurching like a drunken man. 

ft 


206 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


^^Bully!’’ breathed Freckles, who could watch 
all these happenings, while Budge had his face 
turned the other way. 

‘^Keep still,’’ breathed Alec, close at hand. 
'^He hasn’t given up yet, and if he hears you, it 
may excite him. Not a move now, or a word 
above a whisper, till I say so. This is a critical 
period in the game.” 

^^Oh! do you think it will work?” whispered 
poor Budge, who was very uncomfortable, lashed 
back to back with the thin boy, whose shoulder 
blades, he declared, were poking into him like 
paddle wheels on a steamboat. 

“Looks mighty much that way,” said Alec. 
“Just shut your eyes, and count a thousand. 
Budge. Before you get to the end of the string 
the agony may be over.” 

Silence fell on the camp after that. Both of 
Brownlow’s men had been overcome by the drug 
Tad tossed in their food, whatever it was. The 
giant chief fought the drowsiness like every- 
thing. Several times he would sit up, and throw 
his muscular arms upward, as though boxing 
with an unseen adversary. Every time he 
started to climb to his feet it seemed to Alec his 
heart would be in his throat, for he felt so help- 
less, trussed up in that fashion, just like a fowl 
for the spit. 

But by straining he made a discovery. He 


HOW THE GAME WORKED 207 


could move his arms, slip them back just a little 
and forward again. So, indulging in a new hope, 
he began to seesaw them back and forth. The 
rope was stretching too, so that when he had 
kept this movement up for a short time Alec was 
enabled to draw his right hand free! 

The left did not seem to give; but for that he 
cared nothing just then. What he wanted to do 
was to secure his weapon, so as to be ready to 
defend his own life, as well as those of his chums, 
should that lawless giant take a notion to do any- 
thing dreadful, which Alec really and truly hoped 
might not be the case. 

Now he was able to await the outcome in a 
more contented frame of mind. It could not be 
for long, since with each recurrence, the strug- 
gles of Jenks Brownlow against the insidious 
monster who was chaining him down became 
more and more feeble. 

^^He’s gone, too!^^ whispered Freckles, hoarsely; 
for he had been watching the attempts of the 
other to grip his reeling senses with a feeling akin 
to horror. 

^Wait! give him ten minutes. Then if the 
boy does not show up, perhaps I can get at my 
knife, and cut this rope. Wait!'' said Alec, in 
thrilling tones that cheered the other unfortu- 
nates immensely. 

How slow the time dragged along. Why, 


208 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


seconds seemed hours; and Freckles was almost 
every minute asking if it were not better that 
they make a move. But wise Alec had started 
to count to himself, and in this way was able to 
reckon time with some degree of accuracy; and 
he again and again hushed the impatient one up. 

^^Only three minutes more!’’ he kept saying. 
^^You’ve stood it for seven, and surely you can 
stand that much longer. It’s all right! Every- 
thing seems to be working in our favor. And 
the chances are, we’ll soon be whooping it up 
over the road back toward town, without search- 
lights showing us the way. Patience, Freckles. 
Just you hold your horses now!” 

Looking back Freckles often wonders how he 
ever managed to hold out during that agonizing 
stretch of ten awful minutes. Budge was as 
mute as a clam. Perhaps he was thinking of 
future possible spreads, where he might make 
amends for this long period of starvation. 

^^Oh! ain’t the time over yet, Alec,” groaned 
Freckles for the tenth time. 

^^Just up,” replied Alec, cheerfully, and speak- 
ing in a louder tone than he had as yet dared 
use; “and as another piece of good news, let me 
state that I believe I just caught a glimpse of our 
friend creeping around that rock. Yes, see, 


HOW THE GAME WORKED 209 


there he comes now! He’s waving his hand 
to us, boys! Keep quiet, and we’ll be out of 
this nasty scrape in a jiffy now!” 


210 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


CHAPTER XXII 

A STAGGERING SURPRISE 

It was a period of suspense all around. Be- 
cause of the manner in which they had been fas- 
tened together in pairs, back to back, of course 
two of the boys could not easily watch the com- 
ing of the young moonshiner. But determined 
not to be wholly kept in the dark. Budge and 
Jack managed to twist their necks, and thus ob- 
tain a fleeting glimpse of the skulking figure 
quickly advancing toward them. 

Then a keen-edged knife was pressed against 
the encircling rope in many places, and the coils 
fell from their limbs. 

“Oh! joy!” Freckles was heard to mutter, as 
though his heart fairly bubbled over with sincere 
thanksgiving; Budge, too, was mumbling some- 
thing, the nature of which no one took the trouble 
to even try to guess. 

Although the three moonshiners lay there like 
logs, and were apparently so overcome with 
sleep that little danger was to be feared from that 
source, still Alec realized that he and his friends 
were far from safe. 


A STAGGERING SURPRISE 211 


Possibly others of the same type might hap- 
pen to arrive on the scene by a freak of fate, and 
halt their flight. And besides, they could not 
find reason to shout until they were well out of 
the Big Smokies. 

Under these conditions, therefore, it was nec- 
essary that they lay hold of their several motor- 
cycles, and trundle them off down the road until 
it were deemed safe to mount and flee, after 
lighting the lamp with which each machine was 
supplied. 

No need to point out to them where each fel- 
low’s wheel was to be found. They had noted 
this fact dozens of times earlier in the night, 
while waiting, and hoping for something to 
happen. 

It was indeed fortunate that none of the moun- 
taineers had thus far thought to do the least 
thing looking toward the smashing of the ^^devil 
wheels,” as they had called the gasoline-driven 
cycles. That would have been a calamity be- 
yond an3rthing they could imagine. 

Alec was quickly in touch with his faithful 
Comet, while Jack laid eager hands on his Rocket 
and Freckles bent over the repaired Cannonball 
Limited. To each of them the very touch of the 
metal steeds seemed to bring new hopes and am- 
bitions. Mounted on these speed wheels they 
could soon leave the dangerous region behind, 


212 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


loth though Alec might feel about abandoning 
his quest so soon. 

But then, his late father could never have 
dreamed what perils lay among those same Big 
Smoky ||jfeuntains, when in his last will and 
testament he requested that his son within two 
years of his death should himself personally find 
Theo(J,ore Warrendale, and deliver to him the 
sealed packet marked with his name. 

Perhaps from the safe ground of Asheville the 
hunt might be continued in some manner or 
other. Alec was set in his ways, and just hated 
to give in. 

^'Come, let us get away from here!’^ he said, 
in a low tone, as he took a firm grip on his ma- 
chine, with the intention of pushing it ahead of 
him to the near-by road. 

Freckles gave utterance to a gurgle of appre- 
hension. 

“My word! will you look there?'' he exclaimed, 
possibly louder than was prudent. 

Startled, the others followed the line of his 
outstretched finger. 

“Budge!" gasped Jack, partly in indignation, 
and partly in horror. 

Alec was prone to let action take the place 
of words. He allowed his machine to drop back 
against the tree again, and fairly flew across the 
camp. Arriving in the neighborhood of the 


A STAGGERING SURPRISE 


213 


fire, he clutched the shoulder of Budge just in 
time to stop that foohsh individual from swal- 
lowing some of the contents of the kettle. 

^^Don’t you dare taste a bit of it!’’ Alec hissed 
in the other’s ears, as he deftly snatched the ket- 
tle from the hand of the hungry boy, and tossed 
it in the adjoining bushes. ^^Come along, silly! 
Do you want to stay here and starve to death? 
Quick! they may wake up and get us yet, 
thanks to your delaying the bunch!” 

Budge, overwhelmed by a sense of his own 
shame, made no effort to resist when, with these 
energetic words, delivered in a whisper, he was 
hurried across to where his motorcycle awaited 
his coming. 

One last look backward Alec took of the camp 
ere he followed the rest down to the road. He 
would never forget that sight, with the still 
blazing fire, and the three sleeping moonshiners. 
Overhead a young moon tried to peep through 
the branches of the trees to the west of the camp. 
An owl winnowed from some near-by tree. All 
else was silence, deep and profound. 

Arriving at the road they turned their faces 
toward the east, since in that direction lay safety. 
The young moonshiner walked with them, his 
left arm bandaged just as Alec had so snugly ar- 
ranged it. 

And as the other once more chanced to come 


214 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


in personal contact with the strange boy of the 
mountains, whose ambition to get ^larnin^ 
had virtually made him an exile from his own 
family, Alec again noted with increasing sur- 
prise what a queer sensation seemed to pass over 
his whole system, as though he had been brought 
in touch with a magnetic battery. 

His heart swelled within him as he contem- 
plated what a sacrifice this boy must have made 
in thus turning against his own, so that these 
strangers might be saved. He had only the 
bare word of Alec that they were not agents of 
the hated revenue men, whom he, in common 
with all otlier dwellers in the Big Smokies, hated 
with every fibre in his body. And yet he had 
risked eveiything in order to return the simple 
little favor Alec had been able to do him. 

Could it be that Tad, too, was influenced by 
some motive, some strange feeling he could not 
understand? One thing Alec was resolved upon ; 
after this Tad could no longer return to the 
mountains, and be as he had in the past. His 
decision had been taken; and he, Alec, would see 
to it that the ambition of his soul should be am- 
ply satisfied. 

Such brave thoughts and aspirations as these 
were thronging the brain of the Northern lad as 
together they tramped along the road. Already 
t^d they put half a mile between themselves 
and the hostile camp. 


A STAGGERING SURPRISE 


215 


^^Say, when do we climb on, and spin out of 
this region?’’ Freckles had asked as much as 
three times, being as usual impatient to make 
better time. 

Alec knew that prudence would dictate that 
they mount and make faster progress than had 
up to now been the case. And yet, somehow, he 
seemed loth to give the word. For evidently, 
unless Tad started on a run, which he could sure- 
ly never keep up for any great length of time^ 
he must be left behind. 

So finally, unable to hold out longer against 
the entreaties of Freckles, with even Jack grow- 
ing anxious, Alec determined to make the break. 
With this idea in mind he halted, and turned to 
the mountain boy, who was just about his own 
height though far from being as stoutly made. 

^‘We must leave you here. Tad,” he said, 
thrusting out his hand. ^^But before I go I want 
you to promise me faithfully that you will come 
to Asheville right away, and see me at Judge 
Embree’s. I shall not leave until you come; be- 
cause, Tad, I am determined that you must have 
the chance you want, to get an education. And 
little Sis will be looked after, too, I promise you. 
If there is any chance to straighten her crooked 
spine, an operation will be performed. You’ll 
come. Tad— tell me you will!” 

He had hold of the other’s hand now, and w^ 
squeezing it warmly, conscious again of that 


216 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


sympathetic feeling that puzzled him so greatly. 

The young moonshiner seemed to be strug- 
gling with some emotion also. 

^^Yes/’ he said, be thar right soon, Alec. 
It ainT that I wanted tuh be rewarded fur doin^ 
o^ this hyah; but if so be Sis kin be made well, 
I^U feel gladder^n I kin tell yuh. But I wanted 
tuh tell yuh I re’d them papers yuh nailed on the 
dooh o’ theh cabins down yander. An’ I kin 
tell yuh wat yuh want tuh know.” 

^^Glory be!” ejaculated Freckles; “d’ye hear 
that, fellows? Tad says he c’n tell us where we 
can run across Theodore Warrendale, the mys- 
tery man who’s been like a ghost to us all along. 
Do so, and please, please hurry up. Tad.” 

“Is that what you mean — can you tell us?” 
asked Alec, just as soon as he could catch his 
breath; for the announcement of the other had 
certainly given him cause for excitement. 

“Thet happens tuh be my name, Alec!” smiled 
the mountain boy. 

Budge, who was employing the time to start 
his lamp going, gave utterance to a mild whoop, 
and succeeded in burning his fingers in the bar- 
gain. 

“Do you mean that you are Theodore Warren- 
dale?” asked Alec, fairly quivering with delight 
to think that his search had come to such a sat- 
isfactory end after all. 


A STAGGERING SURPRISE 217 


^They called me Tad, yuh see; some people 
sez Ted,” answered the other, calmly. 

^^But your father — the moonshiner, Jenks 
Brownlow?” asked Alec, blankly. 

^^Sho, he ain’t my dad at all. He picked me 
outen the river w’en I was a kid. It was flood 
time on ther French Broad, an’ lots o’ famblies 
was washed away. Never lamed who I war. 
Thet name war writ on some clo’s I hed on. 
Be’n thinkin’ ’bout it sense I growed up. Reck- 
oned I’d like tuh larn jest who I war. Me’nt 
tuh, arter I gut an edication. Yep, I’m Theo- 
dore, all right.” 

Alec drew a long breath. Then there might 
be something in that odd sensation by which he 
had found himself nearly overcome every time 
his hand touched that of this mountain boy. 
Why, oh! why, should his beloved father wish 
him to come down here to this wild country, and 
personally deliver to Theodore Warrendale that 
mysterious packet? 

The explanation would no doubt be found in 
the contents of that sealed document. His 
guardian had not known, for he had admitted 
to being utterly in the dark. Who was this 
strange boy, this Theodore, who seemed to have 
been in the mind of his, Alec’s father? 

Perhaps it would have been the part of wisdom 
to have waited until Tad came to see him at the 


218 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


home of the judge; but Alec was too overwhelmed 
with eagerness to delay longer. 

A few minutes could not amount to much after 
all, since Jenks Brownlow and his two comrades 
were bound to sleep for many hours, thanks to 
the drug contained in the leaves Tad had dropped 
in their food. And if any other mountain man 
happened along, he could be told that Tad was 
escorting the boys out of the hills, under the 
orders of the chief moonshiner. 

So Alec took from an inner pocket the little 
waterproof-silk covered packet. 

'Tn my father’s will there was a desire ex- 
pressed that this be given to Theodore Warren- 
dale, who might be found somewhere among 
these mountains. He also wanted me to be the 
messenger who would hand it to you — ^why, I 
do not know, cannot even guess. Open it up and 
see what it contains. Tad,” and with hands that 
trembled he passed the precious little package 
into the keeping of the other. 

Wonderingly the mountain boy did as he was 
told. When the coverings had been removed 
there were disclosed several sheets, on which Alec 
saw writing in his father’s well remembered 
hand. There were signatures also, and seals, 
just as though it might be a document intended 
to stand legal scrutiny. 


A STAGGERING SURPRISE 219 


The mountain boy looked at it, and shook his 
head, smiling sadly. 

''Reckons I ain't jest able yet tuh read all thet, 
Alec," he said, regretfully. 

"Shall I read it for you?" asked the other, 
eagerly. 

"Ef yuh will. I'd shore like tuh know w'y 
yer own dad took eny int'rest in a pore mountain 
boy down here in theh Big Smokies," replied 
Tad. 

Already Alec was reading what had been set 
down. And his chums watching his face were 
amazed to see the color suddenly leave it, only 
to rush back again in hot waves. From this 
they knew that whatever the paper contained 
it was exciting their ordinarily composed com- 
rade as they had never seen him aroused before. 

Quickly he turned from the first to the second 
page; and it was evident that he was skimming 
over what was written, drinking it in ever so 
eagerly. 

Then he suddenly looked up, the paper falling 
to the road, to be picked up by thoughtful Jack. 

"Oh!" cried Alec, "it is wonderful! wonderful! 
I can hardly believe it is not all a strange dream; 
and yet he has explained everything so clearly. 
Now I know why your brown eyes haunted me 
so, and I kept wondering where I had seen their 
like before. They belonged to my mother, my 


220 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


sainted mother! For, oh, Theodore, she was 
your mother too! And you see that makes us 
brothers, you and I!’’ and to the utter amaze- 
ment of the mountain boy Alec clasped his arms 
tight around him; while Budge and Freckles 
stared, and gasped, and grinned their delight. 


CONCLUSION 


221 


CHAPTER XXIII 

CONCLUSION 

^^Come, Alec,” said Jack, presently, when he 
thought his chum might have quieted down a 
bit; '^don’t you think all explanations might be 
postponed until Tad comes down to Asheville, 
which can be tomorrow, if he will? We ought to 
be getting out of here as soon as we can, you 
know.” 

^^Yes,” replied Alec, smiling at his comrade, 
^^if he will surely promise not to fail me. Ill 
count the hours till I see him again. Just to 
think that I have a brother, after I had believed 
I was alone in the world since father died. He 
was not your father. Tad, though our mother was 
the same. She had been married before, you see. 
But wait, and you shall hear it all. I am in a 
dream. I shall want some of you to pinch me 
every little while.” 

The mountain boy apparently, was also in 
somewhat of a daze; for the amazing news had 
staggered him. But the fact that Alec, for 
v'hom he had conceived so great an affection, 
called him brother, and claimed to have the 


222 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


same mother, made him smile as long as the 
motor boys were in sight. 

They mounted their machines and put off, all 
of the motorcycles responding gallantly to the 
call. Each boy had his work cut out for him so 
long as that rough and treacherous road lay be- 
fore them; but Alec managed to look back once, 
he being at the tail end of the little procession. 

He saw the mountain boy still standing in the 
road; and it seemed to Alec that Tad had his 
arms stretched out toward him, as though in 
entreaty. And while it may have been a bit 
indiscreet, Alec could not for the life of him re- 
sist crying out: 

^^Good-by, brother! Tomorrow, mind, and 
donT fail me. Bring Sis if you can!’’ 

A farewell wave of the hand, and then the 
standing figure was swallowed up in the gloom of 
the valley road. 

The four boys kept on along the winding 
thoroughfare. Now and then Budge managed 
to get in a little trouble; but fortunately nothing 
serious developed. And in the end they passed 
out upon a better highway of travel, with only 
some twenty miles between themselves and 
Asheville. 

But what was that to such speedy fliers as 
those up-to-date motorcycles? Had the young 
riders chosen they might have made the city 


CONCLUSION 


223 


in half an hour; even while chasing along the 
road by the light of their lamps, that shed a long 
beam ahead, and disclosed every obstacle as 
clearly as though it had been daytime. 

In good season they entered Asheville. The 
night was still young, and hence Alec decided 
that they might drop in on the judge without 
seeming too bold; for he had made them solemnly 
promise that, no matter when they came out of 
the mountains, they would make his house their 
home so long as they remained in the South. 

The good judge was somewhat surprised, 
nevertheless, to see them so soon; for in leaving 
Alec had declared that they might be gone a week 
or more. But there was no mistaking the 
warmth of his welcome; nor that of Gypsy, 
when she learned who had arrived. 

She was having some young friends in for a 
party; but after that the guests were left to en- 
tertain themselves; since she knew from the man- 
ner of Alec that something astonishing must have 
happened. 

Great was the amazement of the Embrees 
when they heard the whole story, and under 
what strange circumstances the disclosure of 
Tad^s identity had been made known to his 
half-brother. 

And then and there Alec read aloud the con- 
tents of that precious paper, which he now looked 


224 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


upon as the most valuable legacy left him by his 
dear father. 

Of course it took them some time to really un- 
derstand matters; for there were lots of things 
which Mr. Travers had not thought to set down, 
and at which they must guess. 

But stripped of all the mystery they came to 
understand the story as something like this: 

Alec’s mother had been born and raised do^vn 
in North Carolina, and that was really where 
Mr. Travers met her under strange conditions; 
for he had rescued her from the flood, and later 
on they were married. 

Her first husband, a John Warrendale, had 
been a fiery young lawyer, of Southern stock; 
and becoming embroiled in one of the feuds of 
section, he had been killed under conditions that 
greatly grieved his wife. 

She had been so ashamed of her connection 
with a family that had become so notorious in the 
daily papers, that for years she even kept the 
secret from Mr. Travers; who it appeared did 
not dream that she had even been married, for 
she had resumed her maiden name. 

Before her death she told him all, and deeply 
regretted that she had deceived him, from a false 
sense of honor. At the time he rescued her from 
the flood she had lost her own little baby boy, 
which she always supposed was drowned. But 


CONCLUSION 


225 


just before the fatal illness came, under which 
Mr. Travers was taken, a strange story had been 
brought to the ears of the gentleman, to the ef- 
fect that there was a boy down in the Big Smo- 
ky mountains who went by the name of Theodore 
Warrendale; and who, the story went on to say, 
had been snatched from the river many years 
before. 

Had he lived Mr. Travers himself meant to go 
back to the old scenes, and investigate this 
story, though he did not have much faith in its 
truth. But being warned that his time was 
short, he had written it all out, and added a 
codicil to his will whereby a certain bequest 
was to be turned over to one Theodore Warren- 
dale, should such a person ever be found. 

Alecks guardian had known of this bequest, 
though utterly ignorant as to who or what the 
said party might prove to be. 

It was all clear to Alec, at least, for he could 
supply the missing links in the story. Often 
he wondered how things could ever have come 
about as they had; but being a boy he was only 
too willing to accept the facts, and feel that 
Heaven had been exceedingly kind to him. 

Tad should be placed in some good school, 
where his rough edges might be polished, as hc^ 
step by step advanced along the line of educa- 
tion his heart craved. And within a year or two 


226 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


Alec felt sure he would be a brother to be proud 
of ; for he knew there was that in the other to 
make him a good man. 

The chances were that there was little sleeping 
done by the boys that night, unless Budge may 
be taken as an exception; and he would always 
have his rest, even though the heavens threat- 
ened to fall. 

When another day dawned Alec was the most 
restless fellow ever seen. He fairly counted the 
minutes as the long morning dragged past. 
The others mounted their motorcycles, and 
scoured all the surrounding beautiful country 
that has made Asheville so famous among South- 
ern health resorts. 

Noon came and went, with no Tad. 

When three o’clock arrived Alec could stand 
it no longer, but with his chums set out along 
the road over which they might expect the moun- 
tain boy to come. 

And half a mile outside of Asheville they met 
a queer outfit, journeying along in the direction 
of the town. A mule pulled a cart that had 
home-made wheels, and creaked dolefully as it 
was drawn unwillingly along the road. 

But that was surely Tad seated in front, with 
a little figure beside him. Alec gave a loud shout 
as he rapidly cut down the distance separating 
him from this remarkable conveyance; and was 


CONCLUSION 


227 


answered by a wave of the mountain boy’s hand. 

The mule and cart really belonged to the Tor- 
reys. When the woman who had felt such an 
interest in young Alec, the son of the man she 
had known long back in the past, heard the story 
Tad had to tell, she willingly promised to help 
him get poor little Sis to town, her mother heart 
being touched by the terrible conditions sur- 
rounding the child, with a brute for a father. 

So in the end they arrived at the stately res- 
idence of the judge, and great was the wonder 
of the black servants when that quaint equipage 
drew up. But the judge and Gypsy were full of 
eager sympathy, and welcomed the strange pair 
warmly. 

A few days later Sis was received in the finest 
hospital in Asheville, and an eminent surgeon 
gave them hope that in a reasonable time her 
malady would yield to treatment, so that she 
would be permanently cured. But he added, 
further neglect would have doomed the child to 
an early death. 

And Tad — once the mountain lad was decently 
dressed, those who had known him of old would 
pass him in the street. There was a manly, de- 
termined look in his face; and the judge knew 
full well that in all probability Theodore War- 
rendale would yet not only live down the noto- 
riety that his father’s hasty temper had brought 


228 


MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


upon the family name, but make it famous af the 
bar. 

For the boy had firmly decided that he must 
be a lawyer as his father had been. 

Judge Embree only too willingly promised to 
care for little Sis after she came out of the 
hospital cured, though Alec insisted that a por- 
tion of the expense be paid from his abundant 
resources. 

And when he went with Tad to return the 
quaint mountain mule outfit to the Torreys, the 
cart was loaded down with supplies intended as a 
present from Alec to the wife of his father's old- 
time guide. 

Alec never saw either Gabe Torrey nor Jenks 
Brownlow again; but doubtless when no revenue 
raid followed the appearance of the motorcycle 
chums among the Big Smokies, the moonshiner 
chief must have understood that he had been 
mistaken in believing the Northern lads to be 
government spies. 

Doubtless Brownlow is still at his old tricks 
down in that wild country; for as long as the 
United States authorities try to prevent those 
rough mountaineers from doing as they please 
with their own corn, there will be moonshine 
whisky made in defiance of the law. 

And when Alec and his four chums finally 
started north again. Tad was getting ready to 


CONCLUSION 


1 

229 


leave the home of the good judge, to enter a 
boarding school, where he might make a start 
along the road to the high goal his ambition had 
marked out. 

Alec hated to part from him; but they would 
correspond as soon as Tad found himself capable 
of writing decently; and besides, Gypsy promised 
to keep him well informed with regard to his 
newly discovered half-brother. 

They had made up their minds to return home 
by another route, passing up into Tennessee, and 
from there to Cincinnati; whence good roads 
would be found all the way to Staunton. 

Of that homeward trip we will say nothing, 
save that they certainly had a jolly good time; 
also that Budge and Freckles managed to get 
into several of their customary scrapes, though 
nothing very serious developed from the same. 

^^How long were we gone, fellows?’^ asked 
Freckles, one evening, as they gathered at Alec’s 
house, where his guardian, who had asked a 
thousand questions about the eventful trip, al- 
ways made the other motorcycle chums welcome. 

^^Just two months to a day,” replied Jack, who 
now kept the log of the up-to-date Club, and had 
been reading aloud the account of the long jour- 
ney, in which the wonderful little gasoline ma- 
chines had proved their value a dozen fold. 

'^And just stop and think of the queer adven- 


230 MOTORCYCLE CHUMS 


tures that we had,” remarked Budge, drawing 
a long breath, as though overwhelmed by the 
remembrance. 

“Yes,” Freckles remarked, “and you ought to 
be proud to say you shared in lots of the said 
scrapes, Budge. If you could only overcome 
that weakness you have about talking in your 
sleep, and grunting like you were having a bad 
dream, you might in time turn out to be a pretty 
fair sort of a chum. But we sure did have a 
great experience. And I reckon the mill will 
never turn again with the water that is past. 
Fellows, we^ll sure never have such a glorious 
run again, never!” 

But Freckles was destined to prove himself a 
very poor prophet when he made this doleful 
prediction; for unknown to the motorcycle chums 
just then, the future was beckoning to them in- 
vitingly; and there lay beyond another series 
of experiences even more remarkable than those 
which they had met with on their wonderful 
trip to the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. 
So that we can hope, and expect, to meet Alec 
and his comrades once more in the saddle, out 
for business and adventure, and always ready 
to carry themselves as becomes manly American 
boys. 


THE END. 


The next volume of the ^^Motorcyde Chum 
Series’’ of books will be found on sale under the 
title of ^‘Motorcyde Chums on the Santa Fe 
Trail; or, The Key to the Indian Treasure Cave.” 


VON KEMPELEN AND HIS DISCOVERY. 


After the very minute and elaborate paper by Arago, to say 
nothing of the summary in Silliman’s Journal, with the de- 
tailed statement just pubhshed by Lieutenant Maury, it will 
not be supposed, of course, that in offering a few hurried 
remarks in reference to Von Kempelen’s discovery, I have any 
design to look at the subject in a scientific point of view. My 
object is simply, in the first place, to say a few words of Von 
Kempelen himself (with whom, some years ago, I had the 
honor of a slight personal acquaintance), since everything 
which concerns him must necessarily, at this moment, be of 
interest ; and, in the second place, to look in a general way, 
and speculatively, at the results of the discovery, 

It may be as well, however, to premise the cursory observa- 
tions which I have to offer, by denying, very decidedly, what 
seems to be a general impression (gleaned, as usual in a case 
of this kind, from the newspapers), viz. : that this discovery, 
astounding as it unquestionably is, is unanticipated. 

By reference to the “Diary of Sir Humphry Davy ” (Cottle 
& Munroe, London, pp. 150) it wiU be seen at pp. 53 and 82, 
that this illustrious chemist had not only conceived the idea 
now in question, but had actually made no inconsiderable prog- 
ress, experimentally, in the very identical analysis now so 
triumphantly brought to an issue by Von Kempelen, who, 
although he makes not the slightest fusion to it, is, without 
doubt (I say it unhesitatingly, and can prove it, if required), 
indebted to the “ Diaiy” for at least the first hint of his ovm 
undertaking. Although a little technical, I cannot refrain from 
appending two passages from the “ Diary,” with one of Sir 
Humphry’s equations. [As we have not the algebraic signs 
necessary, and as the “Diary ” is to be found at the Athenseum 
Library, we omit here a small portion of Mr. Poe’s mamj* 
script. — Ei> 1 


VON KEMPELEN AND HIS DISCOVERT. 101 


®ie paragraph from the Courier and Enquirer, which is now 
going the rounds of the press, and which purports to claim 
the invention for a Mr. Kissam, of Brunswick, Me., appears 
to me, I confess, a little apocryphal, for several reasons ; 
although there is nothing either impossible or very improb- 
able in the statement made. I need not go into details. My 
opinion of the paragraph is founded principally upon its man- 
ner. It does not look true. Persons who are narrating fact9 
are seldom so particular as Mr. Kissam seems to be, about 
day and date and precise location. Besides, if Mr. Kissam 
actually did come upon the discovery he says he did, at the 
period designated — nearly eight years ago — how happens it 
that he took no steps, on the instant, to reap the immense 
benefits which the merest bumpkin must have known would 
have resulted to him individually, if not to the world at large, 
from the discovery ? It seems to me quite incredible that any 
man, of common understanding, could have discovered what 
Mr. Kissam says he did, and yet have subsequently acted so 
like a baby — so like an owl — as Mr. Kissam admits that he 
did. By the way, who is Mr. Kissam ? and is not the whole 
paragraph in the Courier and Enquirer a fabrication got up 
to “make a talk”? It must be confessed that it has an 
amazingly moon-hoax-y air. Very little dependence is to be 
placed upon it, in my humble opinion ; and if I were not well 
aware, from experience, how very easily men of science are 
mystified on points out of their usual range of inquiry, I 
should be profoundly astonished at finding so eminent a chem- 
ist as Professor Draper discussing Mr. Kissam’s (or is ii Mr. 
Quizzem’s?) pretensions to this discovery, in so serious a tone. 

But to return to the “ Diary ” of Sir Humphry Davy. This 
pamphlet was not designed for the pubHc eye, even upon the 
decease of the writer, as any person at all conversant with 
authorship may satisfy himseK at once by the slightest inspec- 
tion of the style. At page 13, for example, near the middle, 
we read, in reference to his researches about the protoxide of 
azote ; “In less than half a minute the respiration being con^ 
tinned, diminished gradually and loere succeeded by analo- 
gous to gentle pressure on all the muscles.” That the respires 
tion was not “ diminished,” is not only clear by the subsequent 
context, but by the use of the plural, “ were.” The sentence, 
no doubt, was thus intended: “In less than h^ a minute, 
the respiration [being continued, these feelings] diminished 
gradually, and were succeeded by [a sensation] ^analogous to 


102 YON KEMPELEN AND HIS DISCOVERT, 


gentle pressure on all the muscles.” A himdred similar iHf 
stances go to show that the MS. so inconsiderately published, 
was merely a rough note-hook^ meant only for the writer’s own 
eye ; but an inspection of the pamphlet will convince almost 
any thinking person of the truth of my suggestion. The fact 
is, Sir Humphry Davy was about the last man in the world 
to commit himself on scientific topics. Not only had he a 
more than ordinary dislike to quackery, but he was morbidly 
afraid of appearing empirical ; so that, however fully he might 
have been convinced that he was on the right track in the 
matter now in question, he would never have spoken out, un- 
til he had everything ready for the most practical demonstra- 
tion. I verily beheve that his last moments would have been 
rendered wretched, could he have suspected that his wishes 
in regard to burning this “Diary ” (full of crude speculations) 
would have been unattended to ; as, it seems, they were. I 
say “ his wishes,” for that he meant to include this note-book 
among the miscellaneous papers directed “to be burnt,” I 
think there can be no manner of doubt. Whether it escaped 
the flames by good fortune or by bad, yet remains to be seen. 
That the passages quoted above, with the other similar ones 
referred to, gave Von Kempelen the hint, I do not in the 
slightest degree question ; but I repeat, it yet remains to be 
seen whether this momentous discovery itseK {momentous un- 
der any circumstances), will be of service or disservice to 
mankind at large. That Von Kempelen and his immediate 
friends will reap a rich harvest, it would be folly to doubt for 
a moment. They will scarcely be so weak as not to realize,'* 
in time, by large purchases of houses and land, with other 
property of intrinsic value. 

In the brief account of Von Kempelen which appeared in 
the Home Journal, and has since been extensively copied, 
several misapprehensions of the German original seem to have 
been made by the translator, who professes to have taken the 
passage from a late number of the Presburg Schnellpost. 
“ Viele ” has evidently been misconceived (as it often is), and 
what the translator renders by “ sorrows,” is probably “ Zie- 
den,” which, in its true version, “sufferings,” would give a 
totally different complexion to the whole account ; but, of 
course, much of this is merely guess, on my part. 

Von Kempelen, however, is by no means “ a misanthrope,” 
in appearance, at least, whatever he may be in fact. My ac- 
quaintance with him was casual altogether ; and I am scarcely 


rOir KEMPELEN AND HIS DISCOVERT. 103 


warranted in saying that I know him at all ; but to have seen 
and conversed with a man of so prodigious a notoriety as he 
has attained, or 'will attain in a few days, is not a small mat- 
ter, as times go. 

The Literary World speaks of him, confidently, as a vative 
of Presburg (misled, perhaps, by the account in the Home 
Journal)^ but I am pleased in being able to state positively^ 
since I have it from his own lips, that he was bom in Utica, 
in the State of New York, although both his parents, I be- 
lieve, are of Presburg descent. The family is connected, in 
some way, with Miielze, of Automaton-chess-player memory, 
[If we are not mistaken, the name of the inventor of the chess- 
player was either Kempelen, Von Kempelen, or something 
like it. — Ed.] In person he is short and stout, with large, 
faty blue eyes, sandy hair and whiskers, a wide but pleasing 
mouth, fine teeth, and I think a Koman nose. There is some 
defect in one of his feet. His address is frank, and his whole 
manner noticeable for bonhommie. Altogether, he looks, 
speaks, and acts as little like “ a misanthrope ” as any man I 
ever saw. We were fellow-sojourners for a week, about six 
years ago, at Earl’s Hotel, in Providence, Rhode Island ; and I 
presume that I conversed with him, at various times, for some 
three or four hours altogether. His principal topics were 
those of the day ; and nothing that fell from him led me to 
suspect his scientific attainments. He left the hotel before 
me, intending to go to New York, and thence to Bremen ; it 
was in the latter city that this great discovery was first made 
public ; or, rather, it was there that he was first suspected of 
having made it. This is about all that I personally know of 
the now immortal Von Kempelen ; but I have thought that 
even these few details would have interest for the public. 

There can be little question that most of the marvellous ru- 
mors afloat about this affair, are pure inventions, entitled to 
about as much credit as the story of Aladdin’s lamp ; and yet, 
in a case of this kind, as in the case of the discoveries in Cal- 
ifornia, it is clear that the truth may be stranger than fiction. 
The following anecdote, at least, is so well authenticated, 
that we may receive it implicitly. 

Von Kempelen had never been even tolerably well off dur- 
ing- his residence at Bremen ; and often, it was well known, 
he\ad been put to extreme shifts, in order to raise trifling 
sums. When the great excitement occurred about the forgery 
on the house of Gutsmuth & Co., suspicion was directed tow' 


104 VON KEMPELEN AND HIS DISCOVERY. 


ard Von Kempelen, on account of his having purchased a 
considerable property in Gasperitch Lane, and his refusing, 
when questioned, to explain how he became possessed of the 
purchase-money. He was at length arrested, but nothing de- 
cisive appearing against him, was in the end set at hberty. 
The police, however, kept a strict watch upon his movements, 
and thus discovered that he left home frequently, taking al- 
ways the same road, and invariably giving his watchers the 
slip in the neighborhood of that labyrinth of narrow and 
crooked passages known by the flash-name of the Don- 
dergat” Finally, by dint of great perseverance, they traced 
him to a garret in an old house of seven stories, in an allej 
called Flatplatz ; and, coming upon him suddenly, found him, 
as they imagined, in the midst of his counterfeiting opera- 
tions. His agitation is represented as so excessive that the 
officers had not the slightest doubt of his guilt. After hand- 
cuffing him, they searched his room, or rather rooms ; for it 
appears he occupied all the mansarde. 

Opening into the garret where they caught him, was a 
closet, ten feet by eight, fitted up with some chemical appa- 
ratus, of which the object has not yet been ascertained. In 
one comer of the closet was a very small furnace, with a glow- 
ing fire in it, and on the fire a kind of duplicate crucible — two 
crucibles connected by a tube. One of these crucibles was 
nearly full of lead in a state of fusion, but not reaching up to 
the aperture of the tube, which was close to the brim. The 
other crucible had some liquid in it, which, as the officers en- 
tered, seemed to be furiously dissipating in vapor. They re- 
late that, on finding himself taken. Von Kempelen seized the 
crucibles with both hands (which were encased in gloves that 
afterward turned out to be asbestic), and threw the contents 
on the tiled floor. It was now that they handcuffed him; 
and, before proceeding to ransack the premises, they searched 
his person, but nothing unusual was found about him, except- 
ing a paper parcel, in his coat pocket, containing what \/as 
afterward ascertained to be a mixture of antimony and some 
unknown substance, in nearly, but not quite, equal proportions. 
All attempts at analyzing the unknown substance have, so far, 
failed, but that it will ultimately be analyzed, is not to be 
doubted. 

Passing out of the closet with their prisoner, the officers 
went through a sort of ante-chamber, in which nothing 
material was found, to the chemist’s sleeping-room. Thej, 


VON KEMPELEN AND HIS DISCOVERT. 105 


her© rummaged some drawers and boxes, but discovered only 
a few papers, of no importance, and some good coin, silver 
^d gold. At length, looking under the bed, they saw a 
largCy common hair trunks without hinges^ hasp, or lock, and 
with the top lying carelessly across the bottom portion. Up- 
on attempting to draw this trunk out from under the bed, 
they found that, with their united strength (there were three 
of them, all powerful men), they ‘‘ could not stir it one inch.” 
Much astonished at this, one of them crawled under the bed, 
and looking into the trunk, said : 

“No wonder we couldn’t move it — why, it’s full to the 
brim of old bits of brass ! ” 

Putting his feet, now, against the wall, so as to get a good 
purchase, and pushing with all his force, while his companions 
pulled with all theirs, the trunk, with much difficulty, was 
slid out from under the bed, and its contents examined. 
The supposed brass with which it was filled was all in small, 
smooth pieces, varying from the size of a pea to that of a 
dollar ; but the pieces were iiTegular in shape, although all 
more or less flat — looking, upon the whole, “very much as 
lead looks when thrown upon the ground in a molten state, 
and there suffered to grow cool.” Now, not one of these 
officers for a moment suspected this metal to be anything but 
brass. The idea of its being gold never entered their brains, 
of course; how could such a wild fancy have entered it? 
And their astonishment may be well conceived, when next 
day it became known, all over Bremen, that the “lot of brass ” 
which they had carted so contemptuously to the police office, 
jvrithout putting themselves to the trouble of pocketing the 
smallest scrap, was not only gold — real gold — but gold far 
liner than any employed in coinage — gold, in fact, absolutely 
puje, virgin, without the slightest appreciable alloy ! 

I need not go over the details of Von Kempelen’s confession 
(n.s far as it went) and release, for these are familiar to the 
public. That he has actually reahzed, in spirit and in effect, 
if not to ihe letter, the old chimera of the philosopher’s stone, 
no sane person is at liberty to doubt. The opinions of Arago 
are, of course, entitled to the greatest consideration ; but he 
is by no means infalhble ; and what he says of bismuth, in his 
report to the academy, must be taken cum grano salis. The 
simple truth is that up to this period, all analysis has failed ; 
and until Von k empelen chooses to let us have the key to his 
own published enigma, it is more than probable that the 


106 YON KEMPBLEN AND EI8 DISCGVBRY, 


matter will remain, for years, in statu quo. All that yet can 
fairly be said to be known, is, that ‘‘pure gold can he made at 
ivilly and very readily, from lead, in connection with certain 
other substances, in kind and in proportions, unknown.'' 

Speculation, of course, is bu^ as to the immediate and 
ultimate results of this discovery — a discovery which few 
thinking persons will hesitate in referring to an increased 
interest in the matter of gold generally, by the late develop- 
ments in California ; and this reflection brings us inevitably 
to another — the exceeding inopportuneness of Von Kempelen’s 
analysis. If many were prevented from adventuring to Cali- 
fornia, by the mere apprehension that gold would so materi 
ally diminish in value, on account of its plentifulness in the 
mines there, as to render the speculation of going so far in 
search of it a doubtful one — what impression will be wrought 
now, upon the minds of those about to emigrate, and espe- 
cially upon the minds of those actually in the mineral region, 
by the announcement of this astounding discovery of Yon 
Kempelen ? a discovery which declares, in so many words, 
that beyond its intrinsic worth for manuf^turing purposes 
(whatever that worth may be), gold now is, or at least soon 
will be (for it cannot be supposed that Von Kempelen can 
long retain his secret) of no greater value than lead, and of 
far inferior value to silver. It is, indeed, exceedingly difficult 
to speculate prospectively upon the consequences of the dis- 
covery ; but one thing may be positively maintained — that 
the announcement of the discovery six months ago would 
have had material influence in regard to the settlement of 
California. 

In Europe, as yet, the most noticeable results have been a 
rise of two hundred per cent, in the price of lead, and nearly 
twenty-five per cent in that of silver. 


LBJe // 


ALWAYS ASK FOR THE DONOHUE 

Complete EdHioiui and you will get the best for the least money 


"Jack Harkaway” 

Series of Books 

For Boys 

By Bracebridge Hemyng 

“For a regular thriller com* 
mend me to * Jack Harkaway.’" 

This edition of Jack Harkaway 
is printed from large clear type, 
new plates, on a very superior 
quality of book paper and the 
books are substantially bound in 
binders’ cloth. The covers are 
unique and attractive, each title 
having a separate cover in colors 
from new dies. Each book in 
printed wrapper, with cover 
design and title Cloth 12mo. 

1 Jack Harkaway's School Days 

2 Jack Harkaway After School Days 

3 Jack Harkaway Afloat and Ashore 

4 Jack Harkaway at Oxford 

5 Jack Harkaway’s Adventures at Oxford 

6 Jack Harkaway Among the Brigands of Italy 

7 Jack Harkaway’s Escape From the Brigands 

of Italy 

8 Jack Harkaway's Adventures Around the World 

9 Jack Harkaway in America and Cuba 

10 Jack Harkaway *8 Adventures in China 

11 Jack Harkaway’s Adventures in Greece 

12 Jack Harkaway’s Escape From the ligands 

of Greece 

13 Jack Harkaways Adventures in Australia 

14 Jack Harkaway and His Boy Tinker 

15 Jack Harkaway’s Boy Tinker Among the Turks 

We will send any of the above titles postpaid to any address. Each 

75c 

M. A. DONOHUE & CO. 

m-7I7 DEARBORN STREET :: CHICAGO 




ALWAYS ASK FOR THE DONOHUE | 

Complete Editions and you will get the best for the least money | 


Thrilling, Interesting, 
Instructive Books, by 

EDWARD S. 
ELLIS 

No boy^s library is complete unless it contains all of 
the books by that charming, delightful writer of boys^ 
stories of adventure, Edward S. Ellis. The follow- 
ing are the titles, uniform in size, style and binding: 

1. Life of Kit Carson 

2. Lone Wolf Cave 

3. Star of India 

4. The Boy Captive 

5. The Red Plume 

All of the above books may be had at the store where 
this book was bought, or will be sent postage prepaid 
at 76c each, by the publishers 

M. A. DONOHUE & CO., 

701-727 S. Dearborn Street, CHICAGO 


ASK YOUR BOOKSELLER FOR 

THE DONOHUE COMPLETE EDITIONS 

and you will get the best for the least inpney 


BEST BOOKS 
NOW READY 

Oliver Optic 
— Series — 


For a full generation the youth of America has been 
reading and re-reading “Oliver Optic.” No genuine 
boy ever tires of this famous author who knew just 
what boys wanted and was always able to supply his 
wants. Books are attractively bound in art shades of 
English vellum cloth, three designs stamped in three 
colors. Printed from large type on an extra quality of 
clean flexible paper. Each book in glazed paper wrap- 
per. 12mo cloth. 


1 All Aboard 

2 Brave Old Salt 

3 Boat Club, The 

4 Fighting Joe 

5 Haste and Waste 

6 Hope and Have 

7 In School and Out 

8 Little by Little 

9 Now or Never 


10 Outward Bound 

11 Poor and Proud 

12 Rich and Humble 

13 Sailor Boy, The 

14 Soldier Boy, The 

15 Try Again 

16 Watch and Wait 

17 Work and Win 

18 The Yankee Middy 

19 The Young Lieutenant 


ALWAYS ASK FOR THE DONOHUE 

Complete Editions and you will get the best for the least money 


All of the above books may be had at the store 
where this book was bought, or will be sent postpaid 
at 75c per copy by the publishers 

M. A. DONOHUE & CO. 

701-727 S. Dearborn St., CHICAGO 



JAN 3 1913 


Boy Scouts 

== SERIES — 

EVERY BOY AND GIRL IN THE LAND 

WILL WANT TO READ THESE INTERESTING 
AND INSTRUCTIVE BOOKS 

WRITTEN BY 

That Great Nature Authority and 
Eminent Scout Master 

G. HARVEY 
R A L PH SON 

of the Black Bear Patrol 

The eight following great titles are 
now ready, printed from large, clear 
type on a superior quality of paper, 
embellished with original illustra- 
tions by eminent artists, and bound 
in a superior quality of binder’s cloth, 
ornamented with illustrative covers 
stamped in two colors of foil and ink 
from unique and appropriate dies: 

1 Boy Scouts in Mexico; 

or, On Guard with Uncle Sam 

2 Boy Scouts in the Canal Zone; 

or, The Plot Against Uncle Sam 

3 Boy Scouts in the Philippines; 

or. The Key to the Treaty 

4 Boy Scouts in the Northwest; 

or. Fighting Forest Fires 

5 Boy Scouts in a Motor Boat; or. 

Adventures on the Columbia River 

6 Boy Scouts in an Airship; 

or. The Warning from the Sky 

7 Boy Scouts in a Submarine; 

or. Searching An Ocean Floor 

8 Boy Scouts on Motor Cycles; 

or. With the Flying Squadron 

The above books are for sale by all booksellers, or will be sent 
prepaid to any address, upon receipt of 50c each, or any three for 
SI. 16, or four for SI. 50, or seven for S2.45, by the publisheirs 

M. A. DONOHUE & CO. 

701-727 S. Dearborn Street, CHICAGO 







I ... 'V-,,- . •''■ ■)■. <- 




, 1 * . 


y '■( \ 


■' • ^ ^'-’iV' ^ '''' '.' ' ■ '• . 

V .' ^ •“ i * ' ' ^ ' ' ' ’ • ' 






.i^ > , 
. u- * 
. • .'» 










J V 

. , y} \ *, 


,/■ 


*■ ■ j Mw \iXi ' ' il t. 

V ' . • \ r X *» « 1 

> I I .- I ,' I* ■ ‘ ^ * 

,.', ’ ' ■;.< ■ . ' -, '■' ; j' I 

r . .:'/HB[ -''f i 

>";■' '.w ' 

I ,i * * 


fi, 


V'. 

'4 


... .* 


'■ n.'- 

^ •' >: ■ ■ • 


iyr; 



w] 




J5 


' V' 


^ - V ■'• 

■ ;■• ■ 




■ ' ' , "ii'-' '1 ■ ’ .4 ‘ 

•V'i ■',• ' •. /• .-.'i , * 

.» L . * ^ . i-* 









• rj'T 


•; i.'* *• 't V'^i' 


■ 4 r,: 


, » 




*' ^'v v, 

4 V\'. 








I?.'., . . 


I, •., I 


\ ' 



.) 


f' ' M^FMk ■^■Xijr..<<<fflflt *1. '' 0: .' •'' j ', 


,1 • 



, t 


t *- 1 » 


W 




.Ut 







/If , , . f , -I 



•‘ ■ .-s?' 



■? r » ' ' . / , I . » 1 1 

i 3 C . /'^■'vij. ‘ .'/i, ; . 

. -.v';. .; s 

^ . .• I i. y • f.S' *«.»•! 




■,’■ *" ‘v :■'- ■ r-Pff ■'^' S>-w ' 


• '* 






.s '♦ 



' - ' T^V^-;.iVV 




fli'ay’ ■■v;:^k;?i;J; 


r:o>:.:v/. rfU.-* 












,'- tx-.- 




i’ \ ' 


I > 


• il 


I'M ■ , 

it' 


■ 


.’\m»^\* ; 'f W^V 

, I I'’, I .-..■.V 

■' ' ".f ' ',' ' • ■ ■ ■ '•■•%■ -‘ ■ '■ ViVi 'A jjl 

•■' • "^''r'>;r^ 'KM® 

' ' ■ ’ ' * ' '■' ' *' ’ ‘ ■' (VVr ' _ 

:a: . ,■■ ,., ^ 

-N'. ■‘'' ' • 

' / ’ ' ;K’‘ s«v 

■•■•• ■ -' . 1 '•'■.i ' • ••'!*> • ila' 






■• , 


», ' u 


■ i '*t i '■ M JaMfiSm- 

'i’Jf 


2 i 


t . ’ 




. ' ' V 


'll. 


( k 


> - J 


'. I jv'l^’'iVi:- .' '.' '' ’ ■ "■* '. i'^f ' 

''•V'n ''* ' '' '''^f 

'v Wh: -'. /,ii ' '■ 


1 


."Vi! 






i' 




% 


a. 


■ ' ‘. 


. k'. 


% ■ ’ 






V '' 


'.' ; ‘ -' v, ;' ('I;,..' '.■ , 'v 






■iv 


ifi! 






, V -li' «■*'■■' ; m 

<'• ’“- ^... .V -1 


'i- , . I k¥.^\ i wy. 'i 


m 






At" 


i1 • 


', . I » r 

- >. A \ t 






t • , 

m..S: 


'MJ. 


h.‘1* 




. I 


• K 


1 ,.w 


!• ’ ♦ 


>. 


t?. 


a\ 












I 'w 




iV /. 


J 


, , ' 7' ' * 

, . ‘•.<5 

“ V0 






:■ r 


-• J ' ' 




K \ 


» . » 






,kS» J 




■Ui^i 


y. 

fXt 


• f 


i’.vr- 









•A v\ '*^ 

'■ ^5 k M £-r , 4 . , •. 

i'v 7 ' ; ' 4 rW ■ 




A 'KVl 


i t.. 




j ' 

'Tv . , i\ ■ ; ', >''/,6 '■■ :,;\ . 

/■ . ' ■ ■•■ M. 


»• » * 



'.* ' 


f .' 



\ ' ' . 

<-Jk 


A 


r' 




' :• ; V 


»p 

T 


■ 4 

■■ 

. 1 . 


l'. 




V* 

4j 4 . 


^ '■ t 

i'' 

I 






Ik 


r. 


.IWklUici . ■. .aik^' . '.. • 



T 

« 



.^"'1 


I ' ^ 


V*^"' ‘ ’'(14 ' 

a,r:. ; ^ • >. 

• k,* 


i . 


4 . ' 

f 


I • 


.# *7^/* A*^ rk ia m a.* k 




ViV'VVV' _••/►•' ' ■ 


'■% 


»♦ , 

1 »T 


■•^*5 




, V* 




1-^, 

/ 


V . 

J 3 'V. 




■i^Sti A’'.VV4 iSIW»IVt«pyi.lft .'■ \,». ,. . , r/v. •* MaV1,1 1 ^ 

•* , .'•• ’* I' w® 'V.^_ ’ . ^y, •bVlV t‘ ' 

# ^,;'A’ .; , . j ' ; ^ *k 1 ^, ' , v .. 


^ ^'fVV''>r 

•* •fivLi y 




• • 





« • -ff'S 


• * * 


- ¥V .4 


' « 




•4 

» ‘ 


» ■ » 



4» 


,v 


i.;M 




1 j-» . I fj 

>4#^# V e 


:jv 




y f -y-. ' 


*» ' '.v'rf, " 


( .( 


', ■ 


ni 


' i- 


* I 

" >. 




I 





